What is Transference? 

Essentially, transference refers to the transfer of feelings from the past to the present. It is the client’s reaction to the therapist.

Transference must be managed; in order to be managed, transference must be tolerated and subsequently understood.

Simply put, because individual therapy is a complex relationship with two people involved, “the two complex human beings who are interacting in the course of psychotherapy are mutually influencing one another all the time and are evoking a variety of feelings toward one another” (Gabbard, 2004, p. 132). 

What is Counter Transference? 

Clinicians also have their own history of emotions, fears, and desires which permeate into the therapeutic relationship.

Countertransference is the clinician’s reactions to the client’s material.

As emerging professional clinicians, we must explore these abstract concepts within the therapeutic room, without explicitly acting out on them, in order to benefit our clients’ process of change and insights because “ the more sophisticated its management, the better the results of treatment will be” (Basch, 1980, p.39).

Transference and counter transference is to be expected, welcomed, and discussed openly in order to reflect on rather than reacting and act out on.

What the therapist and client chooses to do with this material shapes the outcomes and effectiveness of therapy.

Transference & Countertransference is Useful

• The rich material offers insight into one’s inner world, beliefs, patterns, dynamics, assumptions, and thoughts.

• In turn, this material usually affects the way we treat others like our clients or our therapist.

• By reflecting on this material, we can use it to enrich the therapeutic process.

Examples of Counter Transference

The therapist…

• Has poorer/looser boundaries or no boundaries with a client

• Inappropriately self discloses with a client

• Reacts vs. reflects in session when triggered/overwhelmed/etc.

• Offering advice instead of listening

• Feeling discomfort around certain topics a client brings up

• Is reminded of someone else/a family member/friend/colleague with a client

• And more

Examples of Transference

The client…

• Placing unrealistic demands/pressures on the therapist

  • Idealizes the therapist

  • Sees the therapist as perfect

  • Devalues the therapist

• Over values you and puts you on a pedestal like a perfect person/object

  • Admiring the therapist

  • Praising the therapist

  • Flattery

  • Complimenting the therapist

  • Giving gifts

  • Often leads to depending on the therapist

• People pleasing tendencies

  • Fear of criticism and conflict

  • Anxiety

  • Shame

  • Helplessness

  • Fawning/people pleasing

  • Difficulty looking at therapist in the eyes

  • Mistrust

  • Difficulty divulging personal and vulnerable topics

  • Overly explains

  • Apologetic

  • Doesn’t take up space

  • Lower sense of Self

  • Tends to end therapy earlier

• Is aggressive and angry at the therapist

  • Feelings of anger and fear

  • Speaks with a loud and angry voice

  • Blames

  • Threatens

  • Needs to show their power and autonomy/independent so the client will not be taken advantage of

• Erotic transference

  • Falling in love with the therapist

  • Is attracted to the therapist

  • Wearing expressive and provocative clothing

  • Fantasizes

  • Intense desire

  • Infatuation

• Being reminded of the therapist as a friend/family member/etc.

  • Has material transference (therapist reminds them of their mom)

  • Has paternal transference (therapist reminds them of their dad)

What Can I Do To Manage Counter Transference?

Things we can do include: Scanning our thoughts, feelings, associations, and body sensations during a session. 

Tolerating and managing anxiety is another way.

Attending therapy, seeking clinical supervision, seeking peer consultation, and learning more about transference and counter transference are other methods.

Transference and countertransference are drastically altered when considering differences such as: gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability status, class, race, ethnicity, and other areas of difference.

Instead of assigning binary labels to these feelings, ask yourself where these feelings may stem from and whether they are helpful or unhelpful in your work with a client.

References

• Gabbard, G. (2004). Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy : A basic text (Core competencies in psychotherapy). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.