James Bugental, a humanistic psychologist/existential psychotherapist, wrote this about the therapeutic relationship":

“Long-term therapy of some depth inevitably involves times of warm communion and times of great stress--for both participants. Living through these together has a true bonding effect which is not always recognized by those who teach or practice more objective modes. Nevertheless, therapist and patient often have what can only be called a love relationship, which is by no means simply a product of transference and countertransference. Patient and therapist are two human beings, partners in a difficult, hazardous, and rewarding enterprise; it is unreal to expect otherwise.”

That's really close to how I feel about my relationship with my T. I do love him, as described in that passage. Anyone else feel that describes them?

I have never felt myself in the erotic transference camp, and have not thought of my T as a father/mother figure either. I have never been jealous of my T's wife or of his other clients. In fact, I feel a great degree of closeness to my T's other clients, like we are part of a community together. I just feel so close to my T and I think it is because I have trusted him, and we share so much, just as Bugental said. How could it be otherwise when you have gone through so much together?

Does this resonate with anyone else? Or do others feel their relationships are more transferential? Or something else?