Harriet Levy wrote in a message to All:
 HL> endearing, I haven't been able to stop myself from loving her,
 HL> dearly.  My western trained mind tells me that I can't become
 HL> emotionally connected to my clients/ patients, and retain
 HL> professional detachment.
I assume that you have a question because you want to express your
feelings and open the possibility of more than a sympathetic
treatment-giver/treatment receiver relationship.
Maybe the issue of professional detachment is related to
professional effectiveness.  It may become more difficult to do the
best thing for the client when you are deeply emotionally attached.
And, if you express your emotion to the point where the client
reciprocates, it may also become more difficult for the client to
make the best decisions for herself -- her concern for you may
cause her to make decisions to benefit you rather than her.  Finally,
any reciprocal feeling may be due to what is called "transference",
which gets many psychological professionals into trouble, including
malpractice.
There may be more benefits than detriments.  But, the problem is
being able to recognize what is going on when you are personally
involved.  You would do well to talk to other professionals
knowledgable in ethics in other health fields to at least become
aware of the concerns underlying personal involvement with clients.
It would be very helpful to read up on transference, and possibly
talk to a psychological counselor to explore the question of
transference in this relationship.
--- 
---------------