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Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Hello everyone. I have an issue I would love some insight on.

I've been seeing my current psychologist fortnightly for a few months now, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't find her quite attractive from day one, but at that point, it was simply me noticing she was good looking and that was that. As we had more sessions together though, I started actually crushing on her, but now, as I really think about it, these feelings aren't particularly romantic, or sexual. Its more platonic than that, like I wish she was my mother. The thought of actually being romantic with her weirds me out, yet I still have this crush like infatuation.

I'm 25 (hardly qualified to be) and she's in her late 30's, if that means anything. I'm also a woman; a very gay one, so this situation is confusing.

I have a letter that I've written her that addresses these feelings, but I'm unsure whether or not I should give it to her for our next session. I'm scarred she'll stop seeing me, or I'll make things super weird between us.

I'm aware of what transference is, and it seems accurate to this situation, but I feel like I haven't been seeing my psychologist long enough to justify such a connection, and I'm not sure how transference is viewed in modern psychology given how many Freudian methods of treatment have been (rightfully) moved away from.

Anyway, the letter is honest, and I do acknowledge in it that I'm aware nothing can happen between us for obvious legal and ethical reasons; also the reasons why I think I have these feelings, confusing as they may be. Is it worth giving it to her? I don't want to distract from our work or ruin what I have with her. I'm scarred I'll lose her respect, she'll find me weird, or that she'll stop seeing me all together. I address these fears in the letter, but I'm still terrified.

Thank you. Help is appreciated.

29 replies

11 - 20 of 29

In response to: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

I wish you goodluck with it all - whatever you ultimately decide to do @ScottishParrotJ - let us know how it goes Hon. I am logging off early tonight - need an early night but will check in with you tomorrow

In response to: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Hi @ScottishParrotJ

I’ve been reading your posts and wanted to let you know what happened to me.

I saw a male therapist for 5 years. We developed a close relationship. He would talk about his partner snd his family even at times his childhood. We would start the session with a coffee and chocolate. As the weeks snd months went by I became close to him. But not in an intimate way. I saw him as a father figure. I wanted him to be my father. As I was estranged from my parents as a result from telling them if my childhood abuse. Christmas time would come snd I would but him a bottle of wine. His birthday I would email him. This continued like this for 5 yrs. I remember one night session - it was a very emotional session fir me. At the end of the session we both walked out of the room. I was still crying. There was no one else in the office. He came up to me snd gave me a hug. I grabbed that hug and didn’t want to let go. I thought after that that he cared fir me thst he liked me so much. I knew much later thst it was so wrong of him to do that. I was vulnerable and emotional.

After 5 long yrs of therapy he shocked me snd told me he couldn’t htlp me snymore. I was so upset. I walked out snd had to csll the CATT team as I was not coping with that news. I was sngry. I thought how dare he. Why?

Now I have a trauma focussed psychologist a female and she is wonderful. I can now see that what happened with that therapist was totally wrong.

I just wanted to write what happened to me.

Good luck with your decision.

In response to: Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Hi OP I am going to differ from some of the posters and say that you should not give her the letter, it will just make things awkward. I know that's not what you want to hear but I just think it's not a good idea and will make her feel embarrassed. It is your decision though and if you feel you must then so be it but be prepared for things to feel a bit odd.

In response to: Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Hey @ScottishParrotJ Checking in to see how today has gone for you - have been thinking of you today

In response to: Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Me too @ScottishParrotJ 🙂

In response to: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Hey guys, thank you all for the input

Sorry to hear about that former psychs inappropriate behaviour to @BlueBay ☹

I had my appointment earlier today and managed to work up the nerve to give her the letter. It worked out great! Turns out I made the right choice. She's really glad that I was able to be so honest. She assured me that its perfectly normal for me to feel this way and that it was very brave of me to bring it up. We talked about it and she wasn't weird with me at all. She's not going to stop seeing me and she doesn't think I'm weird or creepy or anything I was afraid of. She was so cool and nice about it. Honestly the weirdest behavior came from me because I was so visibly anxious 😅

She also made sure I was okay with everything before we had to end the session, which was extra nice.

Its funny, because I was already freaking out before I left today, and then my bus staight up didn't show up so I had to call the clinic to let them know I was running late, then get an uber, but it dropped me in the wrong spot. Basically I was about 15 minutes late to my hour appointment and totally threw off my initial plan, adding to anxiety significantly! It all worked out in the end though so now looking back, the string of bad luck is mostly just funny. I admit that I'm still feeling the embarrassment but I'm proud of myself for going through with it, and do not regret the decision.

In response to: Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

That is really great news @ScottishParrotJ and very brave of you to give her the letter. It has not only worked out well for you but your psych does seem to be very nice and supportive - that should help you in the longer term to open up more as well. It has been a really big day for you and hopefully one that highlights sometime taking those risks really pay off. You have showed great courage today and that is admirable. Well done @ScottishParrotJ

In response to: Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Well done @ScottishParrotJ that was a fantastic outcome. She sounds really nice your therapist. Good on you fir taking the courage to give her your letter. Very brave 😊

In response to: Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Thanks @Zoe7 🙂

She is lovely, and I'm lucky to have gotten her as my psychologist. She also said she very much appreciates my acknowledgement of her being too young to actually be my mother haha and we both agreed that its awesome the world didn't end from me facing my anxieties 😆

I appreciate that as serious as our sessions are, we've got a relaxed enough space established that we can use humour and laugh sometimes.

In response to: Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Re: Feelings for psychologist. What happens if I tell her?

Thanks @BlueBay 🙂

She's great! I'm glad to have found her 😁

11 - 20 of 29