Countertransference
Countertransference, which occurs when a therapist transfers emotions to a person in therapy, is often a reaction to transference, a phenomenon in which the person in treatment redirects feelings for others onto the therapist.
In contemporary psychology, clinicians typically make a distinction between helpful and unhelpful countertransference. Many contemporary psychologists openly share their own feelings with the people they are treating and may use countertransference, in a conscious manner, to understand differences between their own experiences and the experiences of the person in therapy.
Unhelpful countertransference, or even harmful countertransference, can occur when the therapist transfers to a person in treatment feelings that are misplaced or when a therapist uses a person in therapy to meet personal psychological needs.
Examples
Not all countertransference is problematic. 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. A therapist who realizes this can then point to the countertransference to help that person better understand the effect that difficulty making conversation can have on others. A therapist who has experienced the same issues as a person being treated may also be able to empathize with that person more deeply, whether the therapist decides to share those personal stories or not.
A problematic example of countertransference might occur when a person in treatment triggers a therapist’s issues with the therapist’s own child. The person being treated, for example, might be defiant with the therapist and may transfer defiance felt toward a parent onto the therapist. If the therapist reacts to the individual as one would react to one’s own child, by becoming increasingly controlling, for example, without recognizing the countertransference, this could negatively impact the therapeutic relationship and perpetuate unhealthy patterns in the life of the person in treatment.
Management
Self-awareness
Therapists should have to be aware of his/her own countertransference. They should have to learn to know about this with time and resolve this issue by consulting their supervisor.
Ensure you are aware of your own countertransference
Attend to client transference patterns from the start
Notice resistance to coaching
Pick up on cues that may be defenses
Follow anxieties
Spot feelings and wishes beneath those anxieties
Consultation
The therapist who is facing countertransference should have to consult his supervisor to resolve the issue and get advice regarding how to manage countertransference.
Developing “in the moment” techniques
During a session, use presencing or centering techniques, such as mindful breathing to reduce the likelihood of countertransference occurring.
Self-reflection
With the help of self-reflection, the therapist can develop inner supervision and help himself to resolve inner conflicts and reduce anxiety resulting from that countertransference.
