[melania]

Have you ever given gifts to your therapist? For example, in his/her birthday.

[stopdog]

No. I do not give presents to therapists.

[nottrustin]

I have. I bought her a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant for Christmas one year. I mailed it to her so that it would not be part of a session. She told me I wasn't suppose to buy her gifts. I asked her to please keep it as we had been working through some very painful trauma that I had never told ANYBODY about until I met her...She agreed to accept it THAT time but not to do it again. This year I made her a big container of cookies and candies. I knew her son would be home and LOVES homemade snacks. I have brought her homemade snacks on random days as baking sometimes gets me through rough times.

[thestarsaregone]

Yes, but not for her birthday. In fact, I have no idea when her birthday is lol

When I go on a trip, I normally bring her back something small like a box of chocolates. When she got licensed, I wrote her a card. And for Christmas, I gave her a mix CD of music she could listen to while writing notes.

[HazelGirl]

No, although she might accept a gift, I don't know that it would be appropriate. I also don't know what she might like.

[feralkittymom]

Very rarely, and not for a birthday.

The bigger question is that given the erotic nature of your transference, and the lack of clarity about his ethics, why are you even considering giving him a gift? You need to restrain yourself in all of your actions if you want any chance to benefit therapeutically from your therapy. Only after you stop pursuing him and challenging the treatment boundaries, will you be at all able to see if he is ethical or not. And if he shows himself unethical, you need to walk away and find another therapist.

I did once, right before she moved, I made a little crocheted bowl that I gave her as a going-away present. Well and a couple times I brought little things for the sand tray that I just left there for other people to use too but I don't really consider those things gifts.

[LadyShadow]

Yes one Christmas I did. He accepted it, and he thought it was a nice gesture. I didn't buy him anything this Christmas though. Just couldn't afford it.

[Mike_J]

Yes I have, it was SO funny the first time I gave her a gift, she said she couldn't accept it but did want to open it to see what it was. When she opened it and found out it was just a slinky (they are so GREAT for stress) she kept it.

I have given her a few other small gifts over the years.

[unlockingsanity]

I did once, at the end of therapy with one therapist. Even though it was something that I knew would be appropriate, it was awkward as hell and I'd never do it again.

[AutumnForest]

Yes. I gave her something for Christmas that I had made myself! She loved it!

[Leah123]

Birthday and Christmas gifts. She accepted them graciously.

[anilam]

No, the closest I got was when he gave me an emergency session in his lunch hour and I brought a sandwich for him to eat after our session.

Melanie, in your case I think it's best to stay away from personal gifts...

[RTerroni]

I saw a Therapist for 4 years and the only thing I ever gave her was a farewell card at the final appointment.

[melania]

Originally Posted by anilam

No, the closest I got was when he gave me an emergency session in his lunch hour and I brought a sandwich for him to eat after our session.

Melanie, in your case I think it's best to stay away from personal gifts...

I gave him my cross necklake, it was like giving him a little piece of me.
And also I gave him handmade gift to his birthday.
I was worried he would reject it but he won't and it was realy nice to give something to him

[Victoria'smom]

I gave my t a box of Hershey kisses "to torture me through next year." For Christmas.

[Jdog123]

Yes, at some point after the holidays as since we've been seeing each other over the last 4 years I've traveled to Europe/Asia over the holiday or in January. Each thing has been small and thought out - either something I knew she would like (a scarf in her colors from my trip to Spain) or something that had meaning for us (a small handwoven pillow cover that reminded me of what she once said about relationships being tapestries with varying shades of intensity). Each time she accepted them, thanked me, and really seemed to like them. None of these 4 gifts over 4 years were more than $20. I have given her cards a few times - her birthday, on the anniversary of our first appt.

[ready2makenice]

I've never given T a birthday gift and I would not accept one from her. I actually saw her last year on her actual birthday.

I have given her a Christmas card though,I'm not sure she'd accept anything else. It would be awkward/embarrassing to give a gift and have them not accept it.

[looking4polaris]

Yes. A couple of times around different holidays. Those weren't personal. It was something I did for other people, too and related to a job I had at the time. He accepted graciously (although, the first time, he asked me how it felt to be giving him a gift, etc. I rolled my eyes and he gave up.)
One other time, I gave a gift that was relevant to some things that had come up, but I don't think he understood what the point was (or liked it very much.)
I haven't felt any need or desire to give any gifts since then.

[AllyIsHopeful]

Her Bday had passed before I knew the actual date. I sent her an anonymous Christmas card with a gift card, to the office. I didn't want to face rejection but I felt so much gratitude and wanted to give her something, so I was conflicted! Sending it made me feel great and she didn't have the chance to say anything or feel guilty.

[Auntie2014]

I had a standing appointment time of 2 PM. When I needed to change times T would fit me in by starting her day an hour early. On those days I would go through the drive through at Starbucks and pick up coffee for both of us. I felt that it would be rude to bring one for me and not her especially since I knew that was changing her routine to accommodate me.

[SeekerOfLife]

Originally Posted by melania

Have you ever given gifts to your therapist? For example, in his/her birthday.

I have given her a card to thank her for her help. I am fearful of trying to give more. A previous therapist would not accept a small gift from me. I felt so rejected.

[Yogix]

I made my T a Moroccan lantern. She loved it. And then made me give her a hug.

She always accepts my stuff freely. Well, cards and what not.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RTerroni]

Just a goodbye card at the final session to the Therapist who I saw for 4 years (and she accepted it), I am thinking that if I am still with my new Therapist by the time we get close to Christmas than I may ask if I can give her a Christmas card (and maybe even a small gift).

[Wandering Pony]

I am starting work on a gift for my T. I do Native American bead work and I am making her a small leather bag with my totem ( wolf) and hers ( otter) beaded on it. I am not sure how long it will take to make or whether I will give it her when I finish it or wait until some other time. She noticed a leather pouch I had sewn for myself so I thought I'd make her one like it

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk