Psychology In Seattle Podcast A Client Kisses Her Therapist (2017 Rerun)
Mar 31, 2026
A listener recounts reconnecting with a former therapist and sharing a kiss. The hosts dig into ethics, power dynamics, and professional boundaries in therapy. They touch on historical rules and research about therapist-client sexual contact. Trigger topics like assault and trauma are acknowledged for sensitive listeners.
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Listener Reconnected With Former Therapist And Kissed Him
- A listener described falling instantly in lust with her CBT therapist and reconnecting 10 years later which led to phone seduction, texting, and kissing.
- After kissing, her intense idealization vanished and she viewed him as a normal person, claiming the contact helped her autonomy.
Tension Between Autonomy And Power Dynamics
- The listener argued relationships with former clients shouldn't always be frowned upon and emphasized client autonomy despite power dynamics.
- She acknowledged power imbalance but said therapy's goal is client autonomy, using her case as an example where intimacy relieved idealization.
Warn Clients About Intense Transference Emotions
- The listener recommends warning clients about potential intense emotions toward therapists so they are prepared.
- She admits she wasn't warned and felt confused, implying clinicians should normalize informing clients about transference risks.