When psychotherapy or counseling lasts for over several months strong feelings towards the therapist can develop. These feelings include admiration or even love on the one hand, or anger and hostility on the other. The technical term is 'transference'. Transference is part of the therapeutic relationship and should be explored in therapy, and it is my role to help identify the origins of these feelings, usually from the client’s childhood, their impact on the client's life, and how they can be dealt with.

This is different from and should not be confused with the therapist encouraging actual dependence, which would be unethical, non-supportive, and disempowering to the client.

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