I read something by a therapist once that said one of the reasons why a therapist can't meet someone for coffee is to protect the therapeutic relationship in case it's ever needed again. That made a lot of sense to me - there are lots of people out there in the world I could be friends with, but not that many I want to spill my guts to in therapy.

I think a lot of people struggle with painful feelings of attachment - it seems a really normal part of therapy for some of us! When I first started seeing my therapist I became very worried that he would die- I have had a lot of loss in my life. Talking about it helped. I don't think feeling attached to a therapist is anything to be ashamed of, or anything that a decent therapist shouldn't be able to handle.

I don't see the relationship as fake. It is a professional relationship but the feelings that come up on both sides are very much real. Talk to your t. Many ts do get attached to patients too. Mine has said so.