I think my current T and I could likely be good friends or even romantic interests if we did not meet in the context of therapy. In fact, I chose him in a very similar way I typically choose friends. We have similar backgrounds, many similar interests, and it's quite new but easy to see that lots of similar values as well. All this, naturally, presents with a challenge in our therapy relationship that we recognized and discussed very early and try to keep in mind while working together: not to lose focus from the actual therapeutic work and my goals. Because otherwise our conversations tend to be jumping all over the map, from topic to topic, in a very free floating and intense way. So we try to stay aware of this challenge and keep the scope of the relationship in mind. It's been an interesting process and challenge so far and I find him very helpful as a therapist. I think he is the kind of person that would also be a good match for me as a work colleague.

Former T, not so much. With him, I think we had very little in common apart from some of our interests and educational levels (but even those manifest in different ways). Very different personalities and interaction styles. No surprise it did not last beyond a year. I think I could have a decent, civil relationship with him if not therapist/patient, but I don't find him particularly interesting and in some ways rather annoying. He's also far too superficial for my taste. So, no.