Learning to Manage a Patient's Erotic Feelings in Psychotherapy

Abstract

Beginning therapists are often ill-prepared when faced with sexual and loving feelings in their work with patients. Using psychody-namic theory as a basis, erotic feelings between therapist and patient are discussed not as obstacles to treatment, but as valuable opportunities to better understand a patient's dynamics, the therapeutic relationship, and the treatment process. Sexual feelings of patient toward therapist are specifically addressed in context of the case example of a psychotic man. Recommendations are offered to beginning therapists for managing these feelings that are both ethically sound and therapeutically meaningful.