Forbidden Feelings

a professional boundary. Ryan was opening up to her in ways he never

couldn't help but feel a deep connection to Ryan, a sense of u

wing sense of unease. She was getting too close to R

ional distance. But it was too late. Ryan had already

omething?" Ryan said,

. "What is it, Ryan?" she a

t being paranoid, but I feel like there's something between us," he

d Ryan sensed her feelings? And wh

. But she could sense the tension between them, a palp

a said, trying to sound convincing. "We're just

push the issue. Instead, he changed the subjec

out her childhood, her family, and her dreams. And as she spoke, she felt a deep co

ease. She had crossed boundaries, revealed too much abo

an said, as he stood up to leave

ut as she watched Ryan walk out of her office, she couldn't

was alone. She felt relieved that the session ended, but anxious about what had taken

eing paranoid. But as she took a seat at her desk and stared blankly

e session. She had perceived something in his eyes, somethi

s it possible Ryan felt the same about her? And what

ht as before when her phone rang. It

oing?" Dr. Lee said, h

ay. "I guess it's going OK," she said finall

more serious tone. "Wh

old Dr. Lee about Ryan's questions, about how he had looked at her. And sh

reful," she said at last. "You're getting too close to Ryan, and it's not

rusted Dr. Lee's advice and

eady in too deep. She had been too frank with hersel

ance between her and Ryan. She recognized her feelings, and she understood

s. He pressed her about her personal life, and he made flirtatious comments

trouble. She was head over heels for Ryan. An

wh

to keep a professional distance. Ryan was charismatic and ch

 her patient, and her emotions needed to be containe

ething?" Ryan said one d

neutrality. "Of cour

wondering if you wanted to grab coffee with me so

knew she shouldn't agree to this,

said, sounding reluctant. "I don't

I understand," he said. "I just thought it would be ni

t so good but she also realized she was leading him on, sh

m. "I'm your therapist, and I have to keep a professional boundary fro

last. "I just wanted more time with you, Emma. You're an ama

and she had an emotional bond with him. But she also knew that she w

to me. Here's the thing: I need you to have a very

ointed. "Yes, I understand," he said.

she said. You're a wonderful patient, and I'm glad to be wor

. "Okay, Emma. For now on, I

. She had been firm about the professional bounda

knew she was in trouble. She had romantic feelings fo