I made the mistake, once again, to allow a manipulative person in my life. Thankfully, I've noticed the manipulations right away because I already have experience with the current kind, and the person - a girl, like the last time - isn't far enough into my heart to hurt me for as long as the last time did.
Still, I can't help but feel sorrow for the person, for she doesn't intend to do it. Like a child, she tries, unconsciously, to steer me towards her, to make me give her my affection and time. It seems silly to be angry at a child showing those traits, so I don't believe holding any anger at the person is worth anything or will yield anything positive. I am, however, very displeased to have been manipulated.
I don't feel ill will towards the person and don't want to cause her harm; in fact, I feel the urge to help her overcome this - which, I recognize, is unhealthy for me given that I'm not even her friend (we've known each other for mere days), let alone her psychotherapist.
So. How compassionate ought I to be to the person? Would it be good for me to do anything to help her? can I, even? Would it be good for me to yell at her for manipulating me? I do understand that telling her what she really does (which she doesn't seem to understand to be anything bad or hurtful; she doesn't seem to care for others, either, as long as they don't provide her affirmation and affection) would help at least me (she might be too stubborn to listen to it), but beyond that - what do I do?
I think by letting her get something positive out of bad behavior you're teaching her to keep doing it. Try giving her the response you think will teach her to interact with people in a productive way. You can't help anyone that much. Just play your small part in teaching this person to be an adult and be on your way.
Why would you need to yell at her? You could talk to her, tell her that she's being manipulative, explain how, and then leave it at that. Once you've done that, you've already done more than could be expected of you. Probably cut contact with her after that, otherwise you're opening yourself up to further manipulation.