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If you’ve developed romantic feelings for yourtherapist, you’re not alone.
In fact, it’s a common occurrence that professionals are trained to handle.
Here’s what to do if you think you’re falling in love with your therapist.
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What Is Transference?
Transference comes up whenever a client unconsciously projects their feelings about someone else onto a therapist.
These emotions can be positive, negative, or sexualized.
For example, you might subconsciously transfer your feelings toward your parent to your therapist.
Transference can go in the other direction, too.
Therapists sometimes experiencecountertransference, in which they develop feelings for their clients.
This understanding can ultimately nudge you toward recovery and health.
How Will Your Therapist Handle It?
Your therapist should handle this news gracefully and explore it with you.
Tell me what you are experiencing right now.
Ethical Considerations
Romantic relationships are not only inappropriate between therapist and client, they are actually unethical.
And it is up to your therapist to uphold this boundary.
This prohibition applies to both in-person and electronic interactions or relationships."
By sharing your emotional experiences and secrets with your therapist, you are being vulnerable.
If this happens, end your professional relationship and considerreporting the therapist to their state board.
If their actions are determined to be in violation of these ethics, they can lose their license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Be honest, as difficult as that may be.
Levy KN, Scala JW.Transference, transference interpretations, and transference-focused psychotherapies.Psychotherapy (Chic).
2009;32(2):299-314. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2009.03.005
American Counseling Association.ACA code of ethics.
