Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionWarning SignsImpactWhat to DoHistory
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Warning Signs
Impact
What to Do
History
What Is Countertransference?
Inpsychoanalytic theory, countertransference occurs when the therapist projects their own unresolved conflicts onto the client. This could be in response to something the client has unearthed.
Although many now believe it to be inevitable, countertransference can be damaging if not appropriately managed. With proper monitoring, however, some research shows that countertransference can play a productive role in the therapeutic relationship.
Transference vs. Countertransference
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines countertransference as a reaction to the client or client’stransference,which is when the client projects their own conflicts onto the therapist.
Transference is a normal part of psychodynamictherapy. However, it’s the therapist’s job to recognize countertransference and do what’s necessary to remain neutral.
How to Handle Feelings for Your Therapist
Four Types of Countertransference
There are four manifestations of countertransference. Three of these can potentially harm the therapeutic relationship.
Can You Be Friends With Your Therapist?
Warning Signs of Countertransference
How does a therapist know they are experiencing countertransference? If you are someone in therapy, how do you know if your therapist is exhibiting the signs of it? If you’re concerned about the presence of countertransference in your therapeutic relationship, be aware of these warning signs.
In Adult Therapy
In general, be aware of whether the therapist has an inappropriate emotional response to the client. This might look like:
In Child Therapy
Warning signs on behalf of the therapist include:
Here’s an example of what countertransference could look like: A therapist becomes concerned when they develop protective feelings for a client. In discussions with a colleague, they realized that the client reminded them of their sister, leading to countertransference.
Impact on Therapy
While it was originally a psychoanalytic concept, countertransference has been adopted and is used in other forms of therapy today.Although it’s important for your therapist to guard against feelings of countertransference toward you, countertransference has also been found to be beneficial.
In a systematic review of 25 countertransference studies, researchers found an association with positive countertransference, such as feeling close to the client, and positive outcomes, including improvement of symptoms and a good therapeutic relationship.
Additionally, a 2018 meta-analysis published inPsychotherapyexamined countertransference’s effect on therapy and observed the potential negative effects and also the beneficial outcomes when it was managed well.
If you think your therapist is experiencing countertransference, you can bring it up with them if and when the time feels right. Your therapist should be receptive to your concern. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, and that countertransference is getting in the way of effective therapy, it may be time to move on to a new practitioner.
Therapists can also take steps to manage countertransference. The 2018 meta-analysis recommends therapists closely monitor themselves and work on their conflicts through personal psychotherapy, meditation, and self-care. They may also consider clinical supervision.
History of Countertransference
Sigmund Freudfirst described countertransference in 1910. Attitudes of the concept have changed over time. Freud first defined it as being in reaction to transference from a client, and it was thought of as largely detrimental to therapy.
However, this thinking changed around the 1950s, when countertransference started to be viewed as something that could be positive. The definition of countertransference was also broadened to include any reaction a therapist had to a client.
Takeaway
Countertransference is common, and it’s not always a bad thing. If you think this is something that might be affecting your therapeutic relationship, feel empowered to bring it up with your therapist. If having that conversation makes you feel uneasy, that’s understandable. But it might mean it is time to move on and find a therapist who is a better fit for you.
3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.APA Dictionary of Psychology.Countertransference.de Bitencourt Machado D, da Cunha Coelho FM, Giacomelli AD, et al.Systematic review of studies about countertransference in adult psychotherapy.Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2014;36(4):173-185. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2014-1004Hayes JA, Gelso CJ, Goldberg S, Kivlighan DM.Countertransference management and effective psychotherapy: Meta-analytic findings.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2018;55(4):496-507. doi:10.1037/pst0000189
3 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.APA Dictionary of Psychology.Countertransference.de Bitencourt Machado D, da Cunha Coelho FM, Giacomelli AD, et al.Systematic review of studies about countertransference in adult psychotherapy.Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2014;36(4):173-185. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2014-1004Hayes JA, Gelso CJ, Goldberg S, Kivlighan DM.Countertransference management and effective psychotherapy: Meta-analytic findings.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2018;55(4):496-507. doi:10.1037/pst0000189
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
APA Dictionary of Psychology.Countertransference.de Bitencourt Machado D, da Cunha Coelho FM, Giacomelli AD, et al.Systematic review of studies about countertransference in adult psychotherapy.Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2014;36(4):173-185. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2014-1004Hayes JA, Gelso CJ, Goldberg S, Kivlighan DM.Countertransference management and effective psychotherapy: Meta-analytic findings.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2018;55(4):496-507. doi:10.1037/pst0000189
APA Dictionary of Psychology.Countertransference.
de Bitencourt Machado D, da Cunha Coelho FM, Giacomelli AD, et al.Systematic review of studies about countertransference in adult psychotherapy.Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2014;36(4):173-185. doi:10.1590/2237-6089-2014-1004
Hayes JA, Gelso CJ, Goldberg S, Kivlighan DM.Countertransference management and effective psychotherapy: Meta-analytic findings.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2018;55(4):496-507. doi:10.1037/pst0000189
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