My question is how is the client being helped here? I see how Paul is being helped. His wife thinks he's a shmuck and along comes this woman who thinks he's wonderful. So, Paul gets his ego fed. Sounds like Paul should be paying the client instead of vice versa.
Paul isn't being helped in this at all -- I think you are misreading the entire issue. This behavior is not new for Laura and she plays it out in therapy as she no doubt has many many times before. Therapy offers her an opportunity to find out what drives her to turn away from the man who wants her and to seek a man who is unavailable to her. That is a problem in her life.
The key is that Paul needs to be able to hold his boundaries. I hope you are watching the Friday episodes, where Paul talks with his own therapist It will help you understand. This series spreads over 5 nights each week.
You don't think Paul gets a payoff from this? How could he not? His marriage is in trouble, and this woman thinks he's wonderful. That must feel good. I'm not saying that Paul has done anything wrong here or that he's going to violate a boundary. I understand that a lot of therapists have crappy marriages and don't end up crossing the line with a client, but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect therapy. If Paul were smart, he would refer this client to someone else.
"Therapy offers her an opportunity to find out what drives her to turn away from the man who wants her and to seek a man who is unavailable to her. That is a problem in her life."
While I get what you are saying here, I disagree slightly. Paul IS available. He listens. He is kind and caring. He is perfect. He doesn't leave his socks on her floor or forget to pick up the milk at the supermarket. He doesn't argue with the kids. He is the perfect man. How would a false image of Paul be helpful to a woman who has problematic relationships with men? My opinion is that she would be much better served by having a female therapist.
Commenting by HaloScan
