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Re:Transference and the Whole Therapy Relationship!!!
Monica · 12/01/01 at 10:22 PM ET
NO, No No! None of the above! Therapists should NOT hug clients on a regular basis because: 1. They are NOT like a brother or sister. NOr is the therapist a surrogate parent. It may FEEL like that, but it's strictly a professional relationship. The original writer is correct when she says that transferrence has made her want physical affection/comfort from her therapist. To give in to that feeling would distort the therapy, and create dependency. THe idea behind therapy is to help the client find that in their own life. To provide it shortcircuits the client's development. 2. Not simply because a client may bring a lawsuit over a misconstruence, but that a slippery slope develops in which some unscrupulous therapist may further blur the boundaries. 3.To hug/hold a client during session would protect the client from some of the pain that is necessary to experience on the road to mental well-being. It's often tempting to 'rescue' the client because the therapist needs to shield himself against the client's pain. comforting and providing solutions do that, but at cost to the client. Therapy is about the client, not the therapist. 4. A hug implies a personal relationship. A hug at the end of a long term therapy is okay, but on a regular basis,as part of therapy, no. I was a client once, too, and wanted the same from my therapist. He turned me down and it's probably a good thing.
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