"Because I, too, have harboured the desire to date my therapist. As it turns out, this fantasy is neither unusual nor unexpected. Psychoanalysis almost insists on transference, explains psychotherapist Charlotte Fox Weber, using the term coined by Sigmund Freud, the founding father of psychoanalysis, in his 1895 work Studies on Hysteria. The basic premise is that the patient projects old feelings, attitudes, desires or fantasies on to their therapist. This can manifest in numerous ways often at the same time covering the whole gamut of emotions and relationships, from love to hate, maternal to erotic, and everything in between."
"While relationships between clients and therapists are generally frowned on even once the therapy has ended they do happen, and, like transference, have been a feature of the talking cure since the start, with Carl Jung entering into a romantic relationship with a patient."
"I think that many people fall in love with their therapists, because why wouldn't they? says Sally Openshaw, a sexual and relationship psychotherapist. You've got someone who's listening exclusively, who's fully attentive, who's doing everything they can to be alongside you. And that means idolisation of the therapist is very likely to occur."
Psychoanalytic transference causes patients to project past feelings, desires and fantasies onto therapists, producing a wide range of emotions from love to hate. Therapists' focused listening and consistent attention can encourage idolisation and erotic or relational projections. Romantic or sexual relationships between clients and therapists are generally considered unethical and are widely frowned upon, yet such relationships have occurred historically and continue to occur. Notable historical examples include Carl Jung. Personal attraction can be intensified by perceived compatibility, compassion, discretion and the unique intimacy of the therapeutic setting.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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