Issues in Countertransference

Countertransference is a phenomenon that often occurs in counseling settings, in which the therapist or caregiver experiences feelings of projection upon his or her patient; that is, the therapist's feelings toward his or her patient. Countertransference is often coupled with transference, which describes the same phenomenon except deals with feelings originating in the patient and directed towards his or her therapist. Many issues can occur in countertransference, and anyone looking either to begin undergoing therapy or to pursue a career in therapy ought to become acquainted with a few of these issues.

Denial

• Countertransference and transference can be most dangerous when their reality is denied. However, often the existence of countertransference is denied. This can cause a dangerous situation, especially in physical therapy or body work sessions. It is very easy for the participants in therapy sessions such as these to become confused as to what is happening to them, and will also become less likely to openly share his or her feelings. Acceptance of a patient's transference is one of the most necessary tasks of a counselor or therapist. This acceptance allows the therapist to create a comfortable and safe counseling environment.

Awareness

• For a therapist, it is very important to be aware of one's own countertransference. This allows the therapist to provide the safest and most comfortable counseling environment possible. If a therapist comes in to work in a sad mood, and wishes to avoid making their patient sad, the therapeutic space has been tainted. It is necessary for the therapist to be aware of phenomena such as this in order to provide the patient with the help he or she requires.

The Patient

• If a patient is unaware of his or her transference, it is additionally necessary for the therapist to make him or her aware of it. Several ways are available to the therapist to make this happen. The therapist can ask the patient questions that confront the root causes of his or her feelings, and to make him or her aware of the issues. Another way to deal with this issue is to try and make the patient aware of his or her transference through the use of empathic statements.

Collisions Between Transference and Countertransference

• Often, transference and countertransference can meet, and a patient's emotional response to something about the therapist may dig up feelings in the therapist. On her website, body therapist Babette Rothschild discusses a time when her patient demanded she removed her earrings, and Rothschild recalled her father's negative response to her pierced ears as a child. Situations like this can trigger a toxic therapeutic situation.