Posted by Joslynn on January 15, 2004, at 21:06:49
In reply to Re: Nope, nope nope.. » Penny, posted by Karen_kay on January 15, 2004, at 20:45:58
Hi, I didn't mean to scare anyone with those links. I purposely chose a couple links that were strongly worded regarding boundaries, just to show the other side.
Just because something feels flattering does not mean it is in our best interests as clients. When my shrink made that comment alluding to his wife not communicating well, I was actually kind of flattered to be confided to, then later realized, wait a minute, he went a bit far with that and he knew it, I could see it in his face. And he quickly corrected it. I would love for him to stroke my hair though! Until I ran screaming out of the room, that is...
Note to Karen: While I'm sure you are beautiful, and I know you are definitely entertaining, you are more than that too. Just remember, you don't have to be beautiful or tell funny stories to impress your therapist or us. It's fine to enjoy being attractive and funny (I've beent told that I am both and get a kick out of it sometimes) but you are worth so much more than that too, just because you are alive and you're you.
One time, I said to a short-term male therapist (to whom I was not remotely attracted) that I was sick of people saying, "What do you have to be depressed about, a pretty girl like you?"
He replied something like, "Yes, you're a pretty girl, but you're so much more than that. You're not just a pretty girl. You're a wonderful person. You're you." He was one of those kind of non-sexual, teddy bear people who could say stuff like that and have it come across the right way.
poster:Joslynn
thread:300720
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040110/msgs/301436.html