Transference is when a client projects feelings on the therapist, while counter-transference is when a therapist projects feelings on the client. What are some of the issues that counter-transference can cause for therapists and their patients? Counter-transference can make it harder for a therapist to be objective during the therapeutic process.
Full Answer
What is transference in psychoanalytic theory?
In psychoanalytic theory, transference occurs through a projection of feelings from the client onto the therapist, which allows the therapist to analyze the client (Freud & Breuer, 1895). This theory sees human functioning as an interaction of drives and forces within a person and the unconscious structures of personality.
What is countertransference in psychoanalysis?
In today's psychoanalytic practice, countertransference is manifested in the form of subtle nonverbal, tonal, and attitudinal actions that inevitably affect clients, either
What are the different types of transference in therapy?
There are three main categories of transference. Positive transference is when enjoyable aspects of past relationships are projected onto the therapist. This can allow the client to see the therapist as caring, wise, and empathetic, which is beneficial for the therapeutic process.
What are the techniques of psychoanalytic therapy aimed at?
Awareness of and insights into repressed material. The techniques of psychoanalytic therapy are aimed at what? Increasing awareness, fostering insights into the clients behavior, and understanding the meanings of symptoms. Psychoanalytic technique used to uncover unconscious material and provide insight to the client.
How is transference used in psychoanalysis?
In psychoanalytic theory, transference occurs when a client projects feelings about someone else, particularly someone encountered in childhood, onto her therapist. Frequently spoken about in reference to the therapeutic relationship, the classic example of sexual transference is falling in love with one's therapist.
Why can transference be a useful tool in psychoanalytic therapy?
Transference can help the therapist understand why that fear of intimacy exists. They can then work toward resolving it. This may help the patient develop healthy, long-lasting relationships.
What is transference and countertransference Freud?
Transference is subconsciously associating a person in the present with a past relationship. For example, you meet a new client who reminds you of a former lover. Countertransference is responding to them with all the thoughts and feelings attached to that past relationship.
Is countertransference useful in Freudian psychoanalytic therapy?
While it was originally a psychoanalytic concept, counter-transference has been adopted and is used in other forms of therapy today. 1 Although it's important for your therapist to guard against feelings of counter-transference toward you, counter-transference as also been found to be beneficial.
How is countertransference used in therapy?
If a therapist is experiencing countertransference with their client, they should do the following. Recognize it. Countertransference can easily happen no matter how seasoned a mental health provider is or how long they have been in the field. ... Consult with Colleagues. ... Self-Care. ... Refer Your Client Out.
What is the difference between transference and countertransference?
Countertransference is essentially the reverse of transference. In contrast to transference (which is about the client's emotional reaction to the therapist), countertransference can be defined as the therapist's emotional reaction to the client.
How does transference and countertransference work?
Some ways to manage transference and countertransference in therapy include the following.Peer support. Consult a colleague, supervisor, or clinical director when feeling an emotional trigger or response. ... Continual self-reflection. ... Clear boundaries. ... Mindfulness. ... Empathy.
What does Freud mean by transference?
Transference, first described by Sigmund Freud, is a phenomenon in psychotherapy in which there is an unconscious redirection of feelings from one person to another.
What is the difference between transference and countertransference quizlet?
Transference are the feelings a client has that are projected toward the therapist. Countertransference are the feelings the therapist have that are projected toward the client.
Why is it beneficial for a patient to use transference?
If you ever get depressed, you need to see a doctor immediately, because depression is not a normal part of life. Why is it beneficial for a patient to use transference? A. It helps to reduce anxiety and guilt.
When did Freud develop countertransference?
1910The phenomenon of countertransference (German: Gegenübertragung) was first defined publicly by Sigmund Freud in 1910 (The Future Prospects of Psycho-Analytic Therapy) as being "a result of the patient's influence on [the physician's] unconscious feelings"; although Freud had been aware of it privately for some time, ...
What is the impact of countertransference?
Destructive countertransference patterns can have a significant and pervasive effect on the counseling relationship. They can erode any sense of trust or rapport that may have developed between counselor and client.
What is psychoanalytic technique?
Techniques are designed to help clients gain access to their unconscious conflicts. Applications of the Psychoanalytic therapy approaches: Candidates include professionals who want to become therapists, people who have had intensive therapy and want to go further, people with psychological pain.
What is the fundamental rule of psychoanalysis?
The "fundamental rule" for the client in psychoanalysis is: Participating in free association. A more flexible variant of psychoanalysis is: Psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy. The technique whereby the analyst explains the meaning of certain behavior is known as:
Why is it important to monitor your feelings during therapy?
It is critical that therapists monitor their own feelings during therapy sessions and use their responses as a source for increased self-awareness and understanding of their clients. A. Countertransference reactions are the weakest source of data for understanding the world of the client since they are so biased.
What is an example of an ego defense mechanism that consists of masking perceived weaknesses or developing certain positive traits to
The ego defense mechanism that consists of masking perceived weaknesses or developing certain positive traits to make up for limitations is known as: Compensation.
What is the term for directing energy toward another object or person?
Directing energy toward another object or person (when anxiety is reduced by focusing on a "safer target") is known as: Displacement. Manufacturing "good" reasons to explain away a bruised ego, or to explain away failures or losses, is known as: Rationalization.
Is ambiguity inherent in psychoanalytic approaches?
D. Ambiguity is not inherent in most psychoanalytic approaches. D. Ambiguity is not inherent in most psychoanalytic approaches. All of the following are a part of Jung's view of development except: A. Individuation.
What is repression in Freud's theory?
One of the most important Freudian processes, it is the basis of many other ego defenses and of neurotic disorders. Freud explained repression as an involuntary removal of something from consciousness.
What is Freud's view on aggressive drive?
In Freud's view, both sexual and aggressive drives are powerful determi- nants of why people act as they do. Click again to see term 👆.
What is the role of the ego in a traffic cop?
As a "traffic cop," it mediates between the instincts and the surrounding environment. The ego controls consciousness and exercises censorship.
What is Freud's view of human nature?
The Freudian view of human nature is basically deterministic. According to Freud, our behavior is determined by irrational forces, unconscious motivations, and biological and instinctual drives as these evolve through key psychosexual stages in the first six years of life. Instincts are central to the Freudian approach.
What are the three systems of personality?
According to the Freudian psychoanalytic view, the personality consists of three systems: the id, the ego, and the superego. The id is roughly all the untamed drives or impulses that might be likened to the biological component. The ego attempts to organize and mediate between the id.
How to manage transference and countertransference?
Some ways to manage transference and countertransference in therapy include the following. 1. Peer support. Consult a colleague, supervisor, or clinical director when feeling an emotional trigger or response. When a session is especially challenging, it can cause a therapist to sacrifice empathy and objectivity.
What is transference in therapy?
Transference in therapy is the act of the client unknowingly transferring feelings about someone from their past onto the therapist. Freud and Breuer (1895) described transference as the deep, intense, and unconscious feelings that develop in therapeutic relationships with patients. They analyzed transference in order to account for distortions in ...
What is positive transference?
There are three main categories of transference. Positive transference is when enjoyable aspects of past relationships are projected onto the therapist. This can allow the client to see the therapist as caring, wise, and empathetic, which is beneficial for the therapeutic process.
What is countertransference in social work?
The Social Work Dictionary defines “countertransference” as a set of conscious or unconscious emotional reactions to a client experienced by a social worker or professional , and has established specific ethical issues to consider in practice (Barker, 2014).
What is defense mechanism?
Within psychoanalytic theory, defense mechanisms are behaviors that create “safe” distance between individuals and unpleasant events, actions, thoughts, or feelings (Horacio, 2005).
Is transference a phenomenon?
While transference is a phenomenon seen in daily life, relationships, and interactions, we will take a close r look at how it affects professional settings and examine practical ways to make it a beneficial aspect of therapy.
Is countertransference bad for therapy?
As mentioned, transference and countertransference are not necessarily bad for the therapeutic process. The key to ensuring that transference remains an effective tool for therapy is for the therapist to be aware of when it is happening. 1. Unnecessarily strong (or inappropriate) emotions.
How to deal with transference and countertransference?
Ways to identify and deal with transference and countertransference include being aware of danger signs in clients, monitoring self, and taking relevant material to supervision. Danger signs include the client ‘acting out’ or being very familiar towards you, or you feeling parental towards your client.
What is the difference between transference and countertransference?
For example, you meet a new client who reminds you of a former lover. Countertransference is responding to them with all the thoughts and feelings attached to that past relationship.
What is the process of transference in Freud's book?
In the book, Freud described the process of transference as; 'transferring onto the figure of the physician the distressing ideas that arise from the content of the analysis' .
Why is it important to take any issues of possible transference to supervision?
It is important to take any issues of possible transference to supervision; this support can enable you to: better understand the therapist–client relationship. be more effective in working with the client’s process. anticipate potential traps and potholes. improve boundary maintenance.
Who wrote about transference?
In fact, Carl Rogers writes at some length about transference in his 1951 book, Client-Centered Therapy (198–218). He summarises (218): ‘If transference attitudes are defined as emotionalized attitudes which existed in some other relationship, and which are inappropriately directed to the therapist, then transference attitudes are evident in ...
Is transference positive or negative?
In these cases, transference can be either positive or negative depending on whether the client … develops positive or negative attitudes towards the therapist …. A key feature of these ‘transferences’ is that they are largely unconscious. ‘Countertransference’, meanwhile, is used to refer to transference that happens in ...
Who first described the concept of transference?
Origins of the Term. The concept of transference was first described by the Austrian neurologist and psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and his colleague Josef Breuer the book Studies of Hysteria published in 1895. The book describes the treatment of a 'patient' known as 'Anna O'. In the book, Freud described the process of transference as;