Posted by starlight on July 22, 2004, at 18:14:34
In reply to For Steelmagnolia, posted by Susan47 on July 22, 2004, at 0:08:34
This seems like a hard topic to tease out, on one hand the therapist is taking advantage of the patient, but on the other isn't the patient to a certain extent taking advantage of the doc as well? Especially if you know that he would probably go for it? Is it much different than a boss/secretary or a teacher/student relationship (at an appropriate age)? Here's a man who hears your worst problems, who hears you speak with a level of honesty that you likely reserve for your appointments, and if he falls in love with you or feels really attracted to you, it seems like it would be tempting to cross that boundary. And then if the patient approaches him and is open to it, that would be even more difficult if he wants you to start with.
We're all stuck in the human condition and sexuality is a huge part of that. It's unethical and it seems wrong, but at the same time it seems human and understandable.
It's kind of like the catholic priest thing. They're supposed to remain celibate. But celibacy is basically denying your own humanity and I think it can lead to abberant behavior. They're people with the same urges as everyone else, but with the burden of a vow that denies their most base urges, they're more likely to act out in secret.
It just seems understandable to me. Maybe I have a hard time with boundaries! ;)
starlight
poster:starlight
thread:267681
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040716/msgs/369115.html