I just said that to you all, and not to him . I do think you ar right, that it is some sort of metaphor . We have metaphor contests.

The bottom line is the evolution of my ability to understand and then handle with acceptance that he views therapy as a straightforwardly doctor/patient set up, just dealing with feelings instead appenedicitis.

From my chair, confiding secrets never told before , I at least thought of it as very personal. He sees me as a patient and he expects me to see him as the doctor is the message I got- but not sure I believe. This is a little confusing, because we call each other by first names, are peers in age and education hobbies etc, and talk about private topics in very loving language.

I never though there was any romance: boundaries, my BF, his wife, the nature of my issue etc makes that unlikely to off the table.

Neither though did I really see it so delineated as a medical relationship without that bonding which happens between like grad students and professors, coaches and players, teachers and students etc.

My dear friend is also a clinical psychologist, and she doesn't even agree with the term "patient " whereas he won't use "client ".

It is of less value to me and I feel less motivated to keep attending sessions if there's no real authenticity of care/feelings. Without emotion on both sides, it seems like The Talented Mister Ripley got a Ph'D bc he acts so extremely caring and loving and attentive in session that is seems weird those are his views. Writing that, my trust, tenuous at the best of times, is shaken up by the session enough to lose interest in doing more of it .