“I Wish My Therapist Was My Friend”

Many of us in therapy have had the thought, "I wish my therapist could be my friend." It’s a feeling that’s more common than you might think. When we sit in those sessions, sharing our thoughts and feelings, it’s natural to develop a bond with someone who listens and understands us.

Therapy often becomes a safe space where we can be vulnerable. We talk about our lives, our struggles, and our hopes. It’s no wonder that we might start to feel a sense of friendship with our therapist. After all, they’re there for us during some of our toughest moments, providing support and encouragement.

Wanting your therapist to be a friend can come from a deep need for connection, especially if you’re feeling isolated or lonely. We all want to be understood and accepted, and the relationship we build with our therapist can highlight that desire.

It’s helpful to recognize that while the bond with your therapist can feel like friendship, it serves a unique purpose in your journey. The focus is on helping you explore your thoughts and feelings, which creates a different dynamic.

Recognizing your wish for friendship doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It can be helpful to think about what that desire says about you. Maybe it reflects a need for connection in your life, or perhaps it points to feelings you’re exploring in therapy.

So, if you’ve found yourself wishing your therapist could also be a friend, know that you’re not alone. It’s completely normal to want that connection. Acknowledging these feelings can be a part of your journey, helping you understand your needs and how to seek out supportive relationships outside of therapy.

Your therapist is there to help you navigate these thoughts, and that bond you feel can be an important part of your healing process. It’s okay to desire that closeness; it just means you’re human and looking for connection, which is something we all need.