Does transference always happen when seeing a therapist?
Pretty much, yes. And in just about any significant relationship. The concept is one of the most poorly understood for some reason. “I’ve developed a transference with my therapist. If I admit it, I know she will discharge and refer me.” Totally off the wall.
Transference brings your feelings about important relationships right into the room where they can be addressed and maybe resolved.
If you fall madly in love with your therapist and dream about having wild, passionate sex, even that is a kind of transference, and a competent, skilled therapist will have no problem with it whatsoever but can help you work it through in positive and healthy ways.
Normally, it won’t be that big erotic thing. More likely, you’ll be annoyed with your therapist, or delighted, or fearful of rejection, feelings from deep inside, from relationships in your life. In therapy, you can understand these feelings and resolve them.