Love and Sexuality in the Therapeutic Relationship.

Charles J. Gelso
,
Andres E. Pérez Rojas
,
Cheri Marmarosh

Divine Mercy University
,
George Washington University
,
University of Maryland University College

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 123-134 (12 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Clinical Psychology (Volume 70, Issue 2)

Publication milestones

Published - 01/02/2014

Publication status

Published - 01/02/2014

ISSN

0021-9762

Abstract

We examine sexual and loving feelings, on the part of both the therapist and patient, as they relate to their real relationship, patient transference, and therapist countertransference. Loving feelings ( agape) often are part of a strong real relationship and they tend to have a positive effect. Sexual feelings, too, may be part of the real relationship, but they are also often more conflict-based, residing in the transference and countertransference experience. It is deeply important for the therapist to seek understanding of his or her own and the patient's loving and sexual feelings, and to tease apart, as much as possible, the extent to which they are real relationship versus transference-countertransference-based. The patient's loving and sexual feelings toward the therapist need to be explored and understood just as other feelings. Although it is crucial that the therapist seek understanding of his or her own loving and sexual feelings toward the patient, we express serious reservations about the therapeutic value of sharing these with the patient.