Do Therapists Develop Feelings for Their Patients?

Therapists typically approach their professional duties with empathy, professionalism, and a dedication to helping patients. While a traditional personal liking or disliking is not the primary focus, therapists often form a positive regard and respect for their patients. This means they value the patients' well-being, respect their autonomy, and are committed to supporting them through their challenges.

Creating a Safe and Non-Judgmental Environment

Therapists strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where patients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors openly. This supportive approach often fosters a bond of trust and mutual respect between therapist and patient. However, it's important to note that therapeutic relationships are professional and the ethical boundaries must be maintained to ensure the focus remains on the patient's needs and progress.

The Therapeutic Bond

The therapeutic bond is essential as it forms the foundation of the therapeutic frame, which is crucial for the healing process. Psychoanalytic therapists, like myself, undergo training to utilize these feelings as a tool to aid in diagnosis and exploring counter-transference projections.

Professional vs. Personal Liking

The question of whether therapists like or dislike their patients is complex. Therapists can have warm feelings towards their patients during sessions. Over the course of years, therapists can come to respect and care for their patients. However, the nature of the clinical relationship ensures that these feelings remain professional. If a therapist does not have warm feelings towards a patient, it is professional to refer them to another therapist. Without these warm feelings, it is difficult to provide unconditional approval.

Growth through Difficult Relationships

When a therapist dislikes a client, they often see this as an opportunity for personal growth. They are prompted to look at areas of their own life that need change. These experiences can be some of the therapist's greatest successes or most painful failures. Sometimes, these patients help the therapist change unconscious behaviors that push others away, working with them in a gentle manner precisely because of the personal touch it provides. However, if the therapist cannot help the client change, they can only hope that their interventions will eventually have an impact.