What is transference and countertransference in psychology?

What is transference and countertransference in psychology?

In a therapy context, transference refers to redirection of a patient’s feelings for a significant person to the therapist. Countertransference is defined as redirection of a therapist’s feelings toward a patient, or more generally, as a therapist’s emotional entanglement with a patient.

Can transference happen outside of therapy?

Transference is a common occurrence among humans, and it may often occur in therapy, but it does not necessarily imply a mental health condition. Transference can also occur in various situations outside of therapy and may form the basis for certain relationship patterns in everyday life.

What is an example of transference?

Transference occurs when a person redirects some of their feelings or desires for another person to an entirely different person. One example of transference is when you observe characteristics of your father in a new boss. You attribute fatherly feelings to this new boss. They can be good or bad feelings.

What is the difference between projection and transference in psychology?

is that projection is (psychology) a belief or assumption that others have similar thoughts and experiences as oneself while transference is (psychology) the process by which emotions and desires, originally associated with one person, such as a parent, are unconsciously shifted to another.

Is projection a mental illness?

It is fairly common for people to engage in projection from time to time, and many people who project their feelings on occasion do not do so as a result of any underlying issue. In some cases projection can contribute to relationship challenges. Projection may also be a symptom of other mental health concerns.

Who is responsible for the term transference?

What Is Transference? The concept of transference emerged from Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic practice in the 1890s. Freud believed that childhood experiences and internal conflicts formed the foundation for one’s development and personality as an adult.

How do therapists deal with transference?

Transference is completely normal. You are not ‘crazy’ for being attracted to your therapist or associating them with your father. The important thing is to bring these feelings to light and discuss them together. Once you have openly discussed your feelings with your therapist, they should diminish over time.

What is an example of countertransference?

Examples of Countertransference For example, a therapist may meet with a person who has extreme difficulty making conversation. The therapist may begin, unwittingly, to lead the conversation and provide additional prompts to the person in treatment to encourage discussion.

Is countertransference always bad?

Despite its negative connotations, countertransference itself is not a bad thing. Rather, it’s the ignoring of countertransference that gets counselors into trouble. For example, the ultimate counseling taboo likely involves crossing ethical boundaries and having a sexual relationship with a client.

How do you address a countertransference?

Deeply explore your own feelings toward a client or clients and, if necessary, write down the ways in which you are consciously or unconsciously defensive or reactive. Establish clear, appropriate boundaries regarding scheduling appointments, payment (if in self practice), and acceptable in-session behaviors.

Is countertransference an ethical issue?

While often understood as a clinical issue to be explored in supervision, co-transference that remains unaddressed or is unaddressed inappropriately may constitute an ethical issue related to practice competence and the failure of the therapist to take reasonable steps to avoid harming the client.

How do you deal with countertransference?

Step 1: Increase your own awareness of when it is occurring

1. Ensure you are aware of own countertransference.
2. Attend to client transference patterns from the start.
3. Notice resistance to coaching.
4. Pick up on cues that may be defences.
5. Follow anxieties.
6. Spot feelings and wishes beneath those anxieties.

What is the difference between transference and countertransference?

Just as transference is the concept of a client redirect feelings meant for others onto the therapist, countertransference is the reaction to a client’s transference, in which the counselor projects his or her feelings unconsciously onto the client.

What is clinical transference?

Transference is the redirection of feelings about a specific person onto someone else (in therapy, this refers to a client’s projection of their feelings about someone else onto their therapist). The patient feels hurt, perhaps angry and deeply disappointed.”

Does transference always happen in therapy?

Transference happens everywhere, including within any therapeutic modality. Psychoanalysis just intensifies it (through all that blank screen stuff) and places it under the microscope. 3. Yet another way the term transference is used refers only to loving feelings.

Is transference conscious or unconscious?

Transference as Unconscious? Freud (1912) insisted that transference be regarded as fundamentally unconscious. Though clients may become aware of something calling forth their transference, they are not conscious of the relationship between that present stimulus and a past phenomenon.

Do therapists experience transference?

In most cases, the client experiences unconscious transference and is unaware that they are doing it. The client’s feelings transfer onto you and may be positive or negative. Transference in therapy is normal. Expect to experience transference in counseling and discuss any concerns you have with your supervisor.

Should I tell my therapist about transference?

If it fits, you can tell your therapist about the reading you’ve been doing on transference and that you’re curious about what she thinks. This can give you some clues as to her approach about it. If she is sufficiently attuned to you, she will likely ask if you are having transference feelings towards her.

Can countertransference be positive?

There are two types of countertransference: negative and positive. Positive countertransference may be used to some benefit in a therapist-client relationship.

How do you tell if your therapist likes you?

They actually listen to you. A good therapist signals that they’re not only taking in your words, but also understanding them. Feeling like your therapist is distracted when you speak — by the time on the clock, their grocery list, or something else — is a sign that maybe it’s time to see someone new.

Do therapist love their clients?

They have emotions, feelings and opinions, just like any other person. You can love your therapist platonically, and they may even feel that way too. In fact, it is said that over 80% of therapists have had some form of attraction towards their clients at least once in their career.

Can my therapist hug me?

It is absolutely okay to ask for a hug. You may need to be prepared for a “no” but a good therapist will explain and process that no with you.

What is the hardest part about being a therapist?

The toughest part of being a therapist is being truly “present” with the patient. The demands placed on a therapist in a typical day of psychotherapy are truly extraordinary. The therapist must be present in a way that allows the patient to feel heard, validated, and understood.

Is it OK to cry in therapy?

Yes, crying in therapy is not only normal, it’s encouraged! As therapists, we see people cry every day. Some clients cry immediately as they start their first session. Some clients don’t cry until a year or more into therapy.

Can you tell a therapist you killed someone?

In the US, however, the answer is usually no. Due to confidentiality, a therapist may not generally disclose the contents of a therapy session with the police, even if the client has admitted to committing a crime.