Quote:
Originally Posted by East17
When the sessions have been emotional and really intense, my therapist has said the following to me, at various times over the past few months:
You mean too much to me
You're precious to me
I would love to be your friend
I've grown quite attached a bit, to you
Is this normal behaviour in person centered therapy?
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Judging by just the sentences alone, no; but context is extremely important, so I guess they could be adequate within certain circumstances.
Quote:
Originally Posted by East17
Is it genuine or is it just part of a method employed because she wants me to feel cared for and valued by someone. She once asked me if I believed her, did I think she would do that to me (lie about her feelings for me).
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If it's not genuine, it is not person-centered. Though certain orientations apply manipulation, person-centered approach proscribes it (see: textbooks by Mearns & Thorne).
Quote:
Originally Posted by East17
On the one hand I don't think she would lie, on the other I can't believe she means it in the way I'm taking it... Perhaps my desire to feel cared about by someone, is making me read more into it than there is.
I don't feel able to ask her about it, because I'd be mortified and embarrassed if she didn't mean it in the way it comes across.
I'd appreciate any opinions on this.
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This is probably a very difficult situation. It comes back to trusting I guess. In my opinion talking it over with your therapist would be the best option, but that's something that would have you in a very vulnerable place. Would you trust her that she would be real and respond in a human way?