Therapist envy

The vicissitudes of envy comprise some of the most powerful relationships between people. Originally viewed as a character trait, envy is now viewed as occurring in two-person interpersonal interactions. The therapeutic situation is therefore an ideal context in which to examine envy on the part of both therapist and patient. Envy is an intense affect, inhibiting effective behavior, and it may damage the therapeutic relationship in ways not easily recognized by therapist and patient.