I know this sounds stupid but has anyone ever developed feelings for their therapist.. I can see how easy this happens but you don't want to make a fool of yourself. I think you confuse attraction to them with them just showing natural compassion which is part of their job. You think they are only listening to your problems when in reality I guess I'm just a name on a list with a time saying Noon to 1pm, and that's all. Half the time I wonder is she even hearing me or is she just laughing at me for crying through the whole meeting. Yea really show how big of a man I am by doing that, classy me. Meh. Sorry people, maybe I should change therapists.

[Aloneandafraid]

Originally Posted by DylanP

I know this sounds stupid but has anyone ever developed feelings for their therapist.. I can see how easy this happens but you don't want to make a fool of yourself. I think you confuse attraction to them with them just showing natural compassion which is part of their job. You think they are only listening to your problems when in reality I guess I'm just a name on a list with a time saying Noon to 1pm, and that's all. Half the time I wonder is she even hearing me or is she just laughing at me for crying through the whole meeting. Yea really show how big of a man I am by doing that, classy me. Meh. Sorry people, maybe I should change therapists.

I know exactly how you feel. I feel exactly the same. Only thing is I can't cry in session and wish I could then maybe she would comfort me?! I can't find the words to tell her how I feel and wonder if I am in therapy for therapy or for a nurturing relationship with her?! All so painful.

[RTerroni]

I have developed feelings for almost every Therapist I have seen but that never got in the way of me seeing them and getting the most out of the sessions.

Glad it is not just me feeling this.

[Sam2]

Having feelings for your therapist is a very common reaction. You are in a vulnerable state, probably wishing that someone would take care of you, and here is a person who listens, doesn't turn away or run from you.

The sad thing is that some therapists take advantage of patients. It may not happen that often, but even once is too much. Some therapists develop attractions to their patients. We're all human.

As I understand it, most therapists have their own therapists to deal with their feelings. Every day they treat people in unimaginable emotional pain and yet they are expected to remain professional and detached. Psychiatrists have a fairly high rate of suicides among themselves. Losing a patient to suicide or being unable to help a patient is something they face.

I'm getting off the question. Changing therapists may not be a bad idea. If you become too attached to your therapist, the inevitable break when you no longer need therapy anymore will be much more difficult than it has to be. Many therapists want a clean break with no contact with the ex patient in any form to avoid dependence. Getting a therapist of the same gender if the patient is heterosexual, or the opposite sex if the patient is a lesbian or gay might help prevent future attachments.

Sam2

[JustForNow!]

Hi DylanP, personally, I don't think changing therapists will help. The nature of therapy is to understand and confront your feelings. All your feelings, even those for your therapist.

I have a female therapist and I'm attracted to her, so getting an opposite gender or same gender if homosexual, T will not help as far as my experience indicates. I'm a women attracted to a women -yet am married to a wonderful man. I think that perhaps being open with your feelings about her to her, may open up a door to deal with deeper feelings about the reasons that brought you to therapy in the first place. That's been my experience in therapy so far.

I just haven't been able to talk to her about my sexual attraction to her. I hope I can do that someday. I plan to use the support from this forum to get the courage to do that.

JustForNow!