Sex and Psychology Podcast Episode 391: When Patients Fall in Love With Their Therapists
19 snips
Apr 25, 2025 
In this discussion, registered clinical counsellors Alison McCleary and Jordan Pickell tackle the intriguing phenomenon of erotic transference, where patients develop romantic feelings for their therapists. They explore what these feelings look like, why they occur, and the ethics of managing such emotions in therapy. Listeners learn about the complexities behind these dynamics and how to approach discussing them within the therapeutic setting. The conversation emphasizes the importance of addressing these feelings to enhance the therapeutic experience.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
What Erotic Transference Is
- Erotic transference is a common, recognized phenomenon where clients project sexual or romantic feelings onto therapists.
- It originates from intense vulnerability and projection of past relationship dynamics onto the therapist.
NYT Case: Dream Disclosure Led To Termination
- Justin recounts a New York Times case where a client told his therapist about a sexual dream and was later fired.
- The client felt abandoned and lost trust because therapy seemed unsafe for disclosure.
Projection Explains Transference
- Transference occurs when clients misplace feelings onto their therapist drawn from past relationships or unmet needs.
- The therapist becomes a projection surface where those feelings enact and can be examined therapeutically.
