A two-person psychology makes it impossible to conceptualize transference as exclusively the client’s distortion, or countertransference as stemming exclusively from the therapist’s unresolved unconscious conflicts. Countertransference is what happens when the counsellor reacts to the client’s transference. Afflicted patients, including those with borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder, can pose a special challenge to the psychiatrist. The ‘difficult patient’ is alienated and may finally be placed at high risk of suicide. Countertransference types can be conceptualized on the basis of the content (love, hate, turning away) as a function of the psychopathology of the patient (psychotic, depressive, borderline, etc), as elements in the analyst's life (the sick, pregnant, or recently traumatized analyst), and specific content as a function of a stage of therapy (beginning, termination, etc.). Originally, Freud conceptualized transference as a ‘transferring’ onto the analyst of reactions to the major figures in the patient's early life, primarily the parents. A Word From Verywell . She is also a Certified Sex Therapist and Certified Addiction Professional. The resident is able to use this behavior to better understand Mr. F’s difficulty in developing stable relationships with his supervisors at work. If the countertransference is negative, it can make it difficult for the client to be able to make progress in the sessions. Such states as boredom, apathy, sleepiness, repugnance and forgetfulness are all the manifestations of such a reaction. As a coach I get a lot of questions on the differences between these two topics. Transference is a phenomenon that occurs when people redirect emotions or feelings about one person to an entirely separate individual. Don’t jeopardize your career as a clinician because of your pride. Now the next step is to look at what Candice has written and identify keywords. I will use an example to explain this exercise to you. Transference and Counter Transference are not the easiest of concepts to understand and many new coaches find these difficult. Or they say they understand but they react completely differently to what you want. Countertransference will often be differentiated into concordant or complementary countertransference. In a systematic review of 25 counter-transference studies, researchers found an association with positive counter-transference, such as feeling close to the client, and positive outcomes, including improvement of symptoms and a good therapeutic relationship. A client admires you and tells you how much you remind them of their best friend. There is nothing more infuriating that saying and relaying something to others and they just don’t listen or get you. For example, if you had a bad experience with a doctor, you may automatically assume all doctors are like that. Transference and countertransference are big words, but they’re relatively simple concepts that explain a lot of what happens in our daily interactions with people, including our family, friends and even the strangers we talk to at the coffee shop and grocery store. Similarly to transference, countertransference is a common occurrence in therapy. So you can see that if Candice is projecting the above to her partner, friends and boss, it is no wonder that she is not getting help when she needs it. The term transference was originally used in the field of psychoanalysis and was defined as “the redirection of feelings and desires and especially of those unconsciously retained from childhood toward a new object.” In layman’s terms, this means that you project your feelings about someone from your past, such as a parent, on to another person in your life, like your boss. Many social workers confuse the definitions of transference and countertransference and assume both warrant the same response. The correct answer is C, countertransference. The question is WHY? Because of these concerns therapists should assiduously monitor their emotions and behavior for evidence of countertransference. Expect to experience transference in counseling and discuss any concerns you have with your supervisor. In erotic transference, the client’s positive feelings toward the therapist continue to evolve, turning into a romantic interest. By continuing you agree to the use of cookies. On the exam, the most common FIRST action you will take in response to countertransference is seeking consultation/supervision. A clinician offers advice versus listening to the client’s experience. Countertransference is common and can happen regardless of your years of clinical experience. For example, the therapist might consider altering or waiving fees, directing the patient’s behavior, or doing favors for patients. Once she has recognised this pattern in her relationship dynamic, then she will be able to change it by being conscious of it. For example, countertransference can serve as a useful barometer of the therapeutic alliance and can provide an example of the types of thoughts and feelings that the client elicits from others (Hamilton, 1988).