It is generally not advisable to become friends with your therapist. The relationship between a therapist and a client is designed to be professional and based on trust, but also on a clear boundary of roles. Here’s why:
1. Maintaining Objectivity: Therapists are trained to remain objective and neutral in order to provide the best care. If a friendship were to develop, it could blur these boundaries, making it more difficult for the therapist to maintain this neutrality.
2. Ethical Concerns: Many professional ethics guidelines prohibit therapists from forming personal relationships with their clients. This is to prevent any conflicts of interest or potential exploitation of the therapeutic relationship.
3. Focus on Therapy: The primary purpose of therapy is to focus on your mental and emotional well-being. Friendships can introduce personal dynamics that could distract from the therapeutic process or lead to a loss of focus on your needs.
4. Power Dynamics: In therapy, there’s an inherent power imbalance because the therapist is in a position of knowledge and authority. Becoming friends could distort this dynamic, potentially affecting the quality of the therapy.
However, once therapy has ended, it’s possible that both individuals could move into a different kind of relationship. Some therapists might even have policies in place about how long they wait before considering any kind of contact outside of the professional realm.
It’s important to have a clear understanding with your therapist about boundaries and the nature of your relationship, both during and after treatment.
