Thanking your therapist is a way of acknowledging the hard work they do and the impact they've had on your life. It may be difficult to find the words to express gratitude, but even a simple "thank you" can mean a lot to your therapist.
Although ethical guidelines typically discourage therapists from accepting gifts (especially those with monetary value), a thank you card is acceptable and will likely be viewed as a welcome and kind gesture. Therapists often find a good deal of reward in the work they do, but don't always receive feedback/thanks.
It is appropriate to email your therapist a thank you on occasion. Not after every session, and not as a way of making the therapist “like” you.
There is no outright ethical prohibition against the giving and/or receiving of gifts within the therapeutic relationship. However, in certain circumstances a therapist may be subject to an ethics complaint or formal discipline for the giving and/or receiving of gifts.
After you realize that transference is very common and not shameful, talk about your feelings with your therapist. Professing your love (or whatever emotion you're feeling) may be easier said than done, but it can help your therapist understand your issues and help you get the most out of your therapy.
The short answer is that you can tell your therapist anything – and they hope that you do. It's a good idea to share as much as possible, because that's the only way they can help you.
Although therapists are not obligated to show concern, care, or love to their clients, you should look for one that does. Find someone who wants to truly understand you, takes consideration of your whole context, and can empathize.
The connected therapist feels what the client is feeling. However, there is always a part of the therapist that is calm and detached, observing those emotions, and objectively using that information to guide the session.
Many professional ethics codes discourage or outright ban therapists from accepting gifts from their clients. This is because gift-giving can blend the boundaries between a professional relationship and a personal relationship.
Probably for your willingness to do the hard work involved in therapy. And learning to accept thanks graciously is also a therapeutic goal! Finally, the response may encourage you to continue to be emotionally vulnerable in the future.
Good goodbyes in therapy tend to include several elements: Reviewing what life was like before therapy, acknowledging what has changed for the better, acknowledging what has not yet changed but is at least not stuck anymore, talking about what it was like to be in therapy with this particular therapist, what you will ...
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of minimizing health risk and addressing the increased anxiety for those you serve. Thank you for not giving up and shutting your doors. Thank you for your compassion and support. Thank you for your careful treatment.
Sharing something you think is too sensitive or personal can be uncomfortable. But know you're not alone in thinking you've disclosed too much in therapy. When this happens, it can help to explore why you think you've overshared and talk it over with your therapist.
Hands. Your client's hands can give you clues about how they're reacting to what comes up in the session. Trembling fingers can indicate anxiety or fear. Fists that clench or clutch the edges of clothing or furniture can suggest anger.
It's okay to ask your therapist about their life. Any questions you have in therapy are valid and are likely relevant to the therapeutic process. Whether your therapist answers the question and shares personal information can depend on their individual personality, philosophy, and approach to your treatment.
Your therapist's relationship with you exists between sessions, even if you don't communicate with each other. She thinks of your conversations, as well, continuing to reflect on key moments as the week unfolds. She may even reconsider an opinion she had or an intervention she made during a session.
When it comes to a therapist who you paid to listen to you, though, it may feel more complicated. But missing your former therapist is completely normal, experts say.
Mirroring your posture and body language helps therapists accomplish at least three things: It helps them reflect your whole self back to you so you can “see yourself” better. It expresses a subtle sense of understanding between you that can help you feel comfortable enough to open up and share more with them.
So clients often have feelings for their therapists that are like the ones that children have towards their parents. Sometimes it feels like falling in love. Transference is completely natural and normal, and it can enhance the experience of therapy significantly.
So, rest assured that it's probably fine to ask your therapist how they're doing and other small talk questions, but Dr. Babbel says there are definitely some questions you shouldn't ask, like how old they are, or if they've ever been married.
The most important thing you can do when you feel hurt, misunderstood, or rejected in therapy is to tell your therapist. If there's a problem, no matter how big or small, talk about it. Healing relationship ruptures isn't just repair work—it's the heart of the therapeutic process.