[Paperless]

I know people care in different ways but what is your perception of a caring therapist and do you believe they are supposed to show care?

Yes. Just like any other professional doing their job, whatever the job is. As you said though, people have different perceptions of what "care" implies so if it's unclear, it's better to be discussed between client and therapist. Expectations, what's realistic and appropriate etc.

[stopdog]

I think those people believe they have a duty of care which I think is different from a therapist showing care or acting in a caring fashion. I don't believe the ones I see are caring particularly, don't really want them to, and don't really have an idea of what caring from a therapist would look like.

[Erebos]

Unsure what your asking, do you mean do they have a responsibility to your wellbeing like a Dr has a duty of care.
Or do you mean should they express their feelings if they care for a client?

Personally I don't wAnt my PsyDoc bleeding emotions all the place. If he was to say he cared and was worried, I would feel guilty for my emotions and behaviour, cos I would not want to upset him.
I pay him so I don't have to worry about owing him emotionally.
We have our session then He goes in a box until the next time I can be bothered to go.

I'm not sure if they are "supposed to", but for me, i wouldn't see one that i felt didn't care. I needed that emotional attachment that in part came from feeling my t cares. I just realized this.

I think on a basic level they have an ethical and perhaps legal (in many places) requirement to ensure that if they see signs that you are suicidal (ie threatening to hurt yourself) then they are obligated to get you to a place of greater support (ie the hospital). The same goes if you are at risk for hurting someone else. That is, the basic level of care is to ensure that you are not going to harm/kill yourself or anyone else. Beyond that, I think that the level of care can/will vary. Some therapists have a more hands off approach while some are more involved. It all depends.

It's rather astounding how many therapeutic realizations i have had while responding to posts on PC!

[Salmon77]

I just need a T to keep appointments, listen well, remember things I say (not 100% but the big stuff), and respond in a helpful way. To me that's showing care.

[Merecat]

Duty of care is a legal term which encompasses a duty to act in the client's best interests, work ethically, provide appropriate treatment etc. That's different from should they care about their clients but in both cases I'd say yes.