I suppose the server at your local Starbucks has developed feelings for you too.I mean she is always smiling and seems happy to see you when you place your order.
The OP should invite his therapist for coffee. The hard part of a first date is literally breaking the ice, but after all the therapy, she will know him really well already. They will have more to talk about since he will be used to talking about his feelings.
I would tell her that she is the Bekele of psychologists. Say more funny things but things that are complimentary at the same time like "who needs Gordon Peterson, you are way better"
Whether your feelings are genuine or a well-recognized response to a therapist, makes little difference. Nor frankly does it matter if she likes you or finds you attractive. Attempting to break the professional barrier, is tantamount to trying to get her professional services for free. Doesn't matter if you think your motivation is pure. You are her client, you want to "feel good" and gain insight about yourself around her, you are required to pay. You can't exempt yourself from this by being attracted and having special feelings, or taking advantage of the fact that she might share them. Just pay her, she's obviously good for you, and find a non-professional relationship. She's not "the one", she's doing her job well.
Expert here and you need this advice. Do not tell her that you're into her. Instead, subtly invite her to come out with you "as friends" to a restaurant/sports game/bar perhaps. Maybe even say that your date canceled and you have an extra ticket. If she accepts that invitation, then she may see you in a similar way. If she declines, you will get closure that it's not reciprocal without embarrassing yourself.
What the f--- are you an expert in?
There are very strict ethical rules (and in some states there are laws) about this sort of thing such that she could lose her license to practice. Do you really think she is going to risk losing her license.
Expert here and you need this advice. Do not tell her that you're into her. Instead, subtly invite her to come out with you "as friends" to a restaurant/sports game/bar perhaps. Maybe even say that your date canceled and you have an extra ticket. If she accepts that invitation, then she may see you in a similar way. If she declines, you will get closure that it's not reciprocal without embarrassing yourself.
This is actually good advice from Steve. I have a buddy that ended up laying pipe with his life coach (like a therapist) and made it happen with Steve’s suggestion. You want to invite them somewhere there will be alcohol. That’s the social lube that makes things happen. Good luck brother.
While a "life coach" has ethical standards that prohibit romantic engagement, that is, to me, hardly the same thing since one does not need a license to be a life coach. Heck anyone can call themselves a "life coach" whereas a psychiatrist can lose his/her license to practice and a lucrative profession.
So get out of here with comparing a life coach to a psychiatrist.
I see a male therapist over zoom and I forget sometimes that he is not my friend and that of course he is a good listener, that's literally his job. I second the advice to discuss this with your therapist. It's probably not the first time it's happened to her. And just for the record, sleeping with you is probably a fireable offense for her so there's about zero chance it'll happen.
I see a male therapist over zoom and I forget sometimes that he is not my friend and that of course he is a good listener, that's literally his job. I second the advice to discuss this with your therapist. It's probably not the first time it's happened to her. And just for the record, sleeping with you is probably a fireable offense for her so there's about zero chance it'll happen.
It sounds like you are into him. You should cover that in your next session.
This is one of the most disgusting pathetic and emasculating things I’ve ever read on here. What’s next, you think the girls at hooters like you because they smile and make eye contact
I get that I pay her, it’s her job to listen, etc. But we literally have an amazing connection. Laughing really hard together, really connecting with each other. I’ve never felt this way before about a woman, and I am 100% sure she feels it.
I’m nervous to let her know that I’m feeling something deeper. Is there any possible way this could work? What would be the right next step?
Not to burst your bubble, but this is incredibly common. Freud wrote about it over 100 years ago, and it's part of every therapist's formal education since it does happen so often. People in therapy are talking about emotional, intimate things, and the goal is to try to genuinely listen and understand, and therapists, theoretically, are supposed to be mindful, thoughtful, non-judgemental people who are pleasant to talk with.
That being said, it really could be that both of you are feeling this, and that it's genuine. Having relations with your clients is a huge no-no in therapy-land, like to the point you can lose your license over it. However, talking about it shouldn't be weird if you take a high level mindset about the whole thing and talk about it matter of factly with no expectations. Do not view it is you baring your heart to someone who will then reciprocate and lead to you two living happily ever after together. View it more as, "Wow, I'm experiencing a lot of strong feelings for my therapist. Why? What is going on there? What is going on with her? What does all this mean? How should we relate to each other in therapy as this is going on?" That sort of thing.
I get that I pay her, it’s her job to listen, etc. But we literally have an amazing connection. Laughing really hard together, really connecting with each other. I’ve never felt this way before about a woman, and I am 100% sure she feels it.
I’m nervous to let her know that I’m feeling something deeper. Is there any possible way this could work? What would be the right next step?
You sound like the kind of douche who believes a hooker when she tells you that you are the biggest and best she’s ever had
What ? I must be though because they all tell me that . Funny thing is I've never been told that by a girl I've picked up at the bar . I'll take my advice from the professional as it's their job after all.