[quote=chaotic13;926374] Or I might realize that this type of exchange is what I want to have with other relationships, but either don't or can't. [quote]

For me, I already know this type of intensity of relationship is what I want to have in other real world relationships. Everything else seems so much less by comparison, so non-essential. I tend to have a few, very intense relationships. It's hard for me to care about other relationships that aren't that intense. And yes, the intense ones have always required some sharing on my part, taking that risk and seeing whether they still like and accept you. But before where I've had that, it's always been mutual. Mutual sharing. Mutual vulnerability. Mutual issues. Mutual power to hurt the other if one person betrayed the other.

The therapy relationship is so non-mutual, so one-sided in terms of who has all the sensitive information and who is completely vulnerable. I think that's the biggest obstacle for me.