1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

I'm Sleeping with my Supervisor. HELP!

Discussion in 'Family, Friends, and Relationships' started by PacificNW1987, Sep 6, 2014.

  1. PacificNW1987

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Gender:
    Female
    Sexual Orientation:
    Lesbian
    Hi All, I am new to the Boards and in desperate need of advice. I would typically consult my friends, but this needs to be kept on the DL.

    In May, I completed my Master's Degree in a Program that required me to meet with a Doctoral Supervisor for one hour each week throughout my second year. While there is nothing in a "Code of Ethics" that prohibits a platonic / romantic / sexual relationship with a Supervisor, it is strongly recommended against. However, our Program is small, and the Master's and Doctoral students share similar social circles.

    When my Supervisor and I met in Sept. 2013, I thought she was cute, but rarely thought about it. She knew I was an open lesbian and I knew that she had a boyfriend of five years, but for the most part, she was strictly business, not even wanting to know if I had a dog, sibling, or what I did for Thanksgiving. What's more, we seemed to have fundamentally different beliefs about our field, and often got into heated, probably unprofessional arguments. There were a couple of sessions in which she got teary-eyed, and I became so angry that I'd start to shake. Everything came to a head in March 2014, when she attempted to have me REMOVED from the Program, stating that I was making minimal progress. However, after several meetings with my Adviser, the Department Head, and Internship Supervisor, it was decided I could finish the Program and graduate. Our final session in May was awkward and tense, it was like we couldn't wait to get out, but at the same time, couldn't get out of our chairs. We left saying we cared for one another, tried hard with one another, but we weren't a professional fit.

    Fast forward four months. Although I graduated, I still have many friends in the Program and thus attended a "back to school party" three weeks ago. Long story short, my now ex Supervisor was there, and in what is now a blur, we ended up at her apartment, sleeping together. I'm not going lie, it was probably the best I ever had - a weird mix of angry, passionate, and tense. But at the same time, I think we were both left in utter horror and shock. We met two days later, and the conversation pretty much went like this - her saying it was the most horrible, regrettable thing she's ever done, and me telling her I became physically ill the next morning from sleeping with a pretentious snob. I know, I'm so mature, right? But here's the kicker, since then, we've, well, drunkenly hooked up four more times, and most recently, the phrases "I can't stop thinking about you," and "I love you" may have been mutually exchanged. Since that night, we've texted here and there about our days, and even met up for dinner in which I had simultaneous feelings of being incredibly whipped by her, yet thinking "what a snob."

    SO, that's my story, and I'm left sitting here thinking - what the ---- am I doing? I love her? What? She has a boyfriend of five years? What? We've agreed to talk tomorrow night when she returns from a conference, but I have no idea where to begin.

    Anyone have advice / thoughts, been in a similar situation?
     
  2. resu

    Advisor Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2013
    Messages:
    4,968
    Likes Received:
    395
    Location:
    Oklahoma City
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Some people
    Sounds like a soap opera! I really don't know what to say. Has she ever had sex with another woman? You might ask what she think is happening and give your own viewpoint.
     
  3. greatwhale

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2013
    Messages:
    6,582
    Likes Received:
    413
    Location:
    Montreal
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    Here is an excellent quote from the great psychologist, C.G. Jung:

    "...both are transformed." As a chemist myself, there is at times an inevitability that happens with certain chemical reactions. Both chemical substances need to be in a particular state of energy that allows the reaction to happen spontaneously, and forever changing each entity after it happens.

    You and her were in a place and state of mind that allowed this to happen easily, so it happened and you were both transformed...no wonder you don't recognize yourselves! It is what is called an irreversible reaction.

    You can pretty much set aside your petty differences, they mean nothing in the chemistry between the two of you. You each had a taste, and then a torrent of the truth between you. The horror you both felt is the cognitive dissonance between the head and the heart; this is something educated persons are prone to feeling more intensely than others.

    All I can tell you is that you are both in for a wild ride; the only question you need to answer is whether you are willing to ride this wholeheartedly, or fight it incessantly.