Posted by Dinah on March 5, 2004, at 0:08:17
In reply to Re: Do you have a picture of your T?, posted by Apperceptor on March 4, 2004, at 23:46:39
I appreciate your apology. And I do understand that therapists are under pressure too. But, while it might not feel like it to you now, as you're training, therapists do have most of the power in a well conducted therapy. And part of what might come across as clinginess (and I'm sure that's how I come across) on the part of the client comes from that power differential.
If it would help you understand some clients in their own context, I will be happy to explain my motivations. I have never asked for a picture of my therapist, as I think that would be intrusive. But I do google him on occasion and read the ads in the papers with the express purpose of finding a photo. Not because I'm in love with him, but because he represents a source of security to me. And I have trouble (as many people with borderline traits do) holding on to an internalized image when he's gone.
When he was gone for extended periods of time for his other job, I asked for and he agreed to do a guided relaxation tape for me. It gave a connection while he was away. I also keep his answering machine messages for the same reason.
And when he moved, I asked if I could take a photo of his office, which was my safe place. And he graciously agreed. He asked at the time if I wanted him in the photo, but he seemed uncomfortable. I think he would have said yes, but I told him that was ok, and he left me in his room to photograph what I wanted.
None of this has any creepy connotations. I don't want to posess him or enter his life. I don't stalk him or spy on him. But he has been an important source of stability to me over a long period of time. And it helps, like a child taking a blanky to childcare, to have transitional objects.
I daresay it's possible to run into a client straight out of Fatal Attraction, but most clients probably have far more mundane reasons for wanting photographs or other forms of connection with their therapists. And before you refer them out, you might want to explore the reasons. You just might find that people aren't as scary as you thought they were. :)
But of course, if you're just going to be doing psychological testing, this really won't come up very often.
That being said, I'd love to converse with you about some of the psychological tests, if you'd be interested. I took the MMPI, and was utterly fascinated. After I took it, I learned everything I could about it. I was somewhat less impressed by the Rorshach, and the others I might have taken as a preteen, but I have long forgotten them.
poster:Dinah
thread:319365
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040303/msgs/320453.html