🚀 go-pugleaf

Hi Jason,

I think perhaps that I've gotten lost in some sort of a
jumping-in-on-top-of-things mix up, the kind of which I was afraid... let's
see if I can straighten things out.

-

>>>One of the difficulties I have with this formulation, however, is that
it
suggests that the therapist's sexual attraction for the client/ patient is
brought on by the client/ patient. This almost sounds like the sexual
attraction is being blamed on the client/ patient.<<<

I didn't mean the therapist's attraction to the patient... I meant that if
the PATIENT expressed sexual interest in the THERAPIST, it would be
discussed-- a therapist's attraction to the patient is, in my opinion, a
completely different issue and I would never approach a patient with it.  I
agree that this is totally the therapist's arena, and should not be brought
up in session.

Also, I should note, that even in the patient-is-attracted-to-the-therapist
situation, if it is brought up, it is done so care--ful--ly, so as not to
blame the patient, as you say (although it sometimes can happen anyway,
especially with borderlines).  The idea is not to condemn the patient for
being attracted to the therapist (after all, they are human), but rather to
work out #1 if the attraction was expressed inappropriately and #2 if the
patient and therapist and still work together despite.  But again, this is
ONLY the case when the patient is attracted to the therapist.

 >>Furthermore, is it the client/ patients responsibility to
deal with the therapist's sexual attraction? In most cases, I don't think
so.<<

Absolutely not.  I agree with you, and again apologize if I misspoke.


Bel