Table of Contents
Why does positive transference occur?
When a patient undergoes psychoanalysis, they transfer to the analyst or therapist the attachment, love, idealization, or other positive feelings they had when they were younger for their parents or other important figures in their lives. Transference describes the emotions a patient has for their therapist. These emotions are influenced by the patient’s relationships outside of therapy, particularly those from early in life.This process, whereby one’s emotions that were initially connected to one person, such as a father, are unintentionally transferred to another person, typically an authority figure like a manager, is known by psychiatrists as transference (Freud, 1926).Transference is most frequently associated with romantic or sexual feelings, but it can also involve almost any emotion, from anger and hatred to admiration and dependence—anything you currently feel or have ever felt toward a close friend or partner.Any transference that has elements that are primarily reverent, romantic, intimate, sensual, or sexual in nature is referred to as sexualized transference.
What distinguishes positive from negative transference?
Positive transference occurs when a patient projects their own positive traits onto the therapist. They might consider the therapist to be kind or supportive. In a case of negative transference, the patient projects their own negative traits onto the therapist. They might think the therapist is hostile, for instance. Transference is merely something that is; it is not necessarily good or bad. It’s a crucial step in the healing process and something to be mindful of at all times.The negative transference is similar to the other types of transference in that it typically involves the client projecting unfavorable emotions from early relationships onto the psychotherapist (for more information, see my article on how to identify unconscious emotions at the core of your current issues).Does transference occur outside of therapy? Created with Sketch. Even though it is more thoroughly explored in some types of therapy, psychologists contend that transference happens frequently in daily life. An older friend who reminds a woman of her younger sister, for instance, might make her feel overly protective.When something or someone is literally transferred with childhood needs or feelings, this is referred to as a transference. Three different ways can this happen: mirroring, idealizing, and alter ego/twinship.But there is also the distinct idea of projection, which refers to imputing one’s own traits or emotions to another person and is also connected to Freud and psychoanalysis. Transference occurs when one feels differently toward a different person in the present than they did in the past.
What does psychology mean when it talks about positive transference?
Positive transference occurs when the therapist becomes the recipient of pleasant memories of previous relationships. This is advantageous for the therapeutic process as it can help the patient see the therapist as wise, compassionate, and caring. A client’s love for a therapist is probably the result of transference, which is the propensity we all have to project past experiences, emotions, and unfulfilled desires onto current relationships.It is a case of neutral transfer when learning one task neither helps nor hinders learning another task. It is also known as a zero transfer. For instance, learning to drive a car or a scooter has nothing to do with one’s knowledge of history.Positive transfer is the facilitation of learning or performance of a new task using the knowledge gained from a prior one. Negative transfer describes any reduction in learning or performance of a subsequent task as a result of learning a prior task.Positive Transference Positive transference can occasionally be advantageous. When you apply enjoyable facets of your prior relationships to your therapy relationship, this is an example of positive transference in action. Since you view your therapist as wise, caring, and interested in you, this could have a positive effect.
How do you handle positive transference?
The steps in dealing with transference As the therapist tunes into feelings that come up, it is a matter for awareness rather than reflection. The therapist takes a step back, detaches from the emotional response, and considers it from a more detached perspective. The therapist determines the client’s affective state. Transference is the term used by therapists to describe the situation in which you have extremely strong feelings toward your therapist but they aren’t really about your therapist. When you experience triggers, emotional harm, or a lack of understanding during a therapy session, transference is frequently (though not always) to blame.Positive and negative countertransference are the two different kinds. A relationship between a therapist and a client may benefit from using positive countertransference.Reactive transference (or countertransference) refers to how a client responds to the therapist’s contributions to the therapeutic alliance.When you feel triggered, emotionally hurt, or misunderstood in a therapy session, transference is frequently (though not always) to blame. When your feelings or reactions appear larger than they should be, that may be a sign of transference. Not only are you angry, but you’re also frustrated.The opposite of transference is essentially countertransference. Countertransference is the therapist’s emotional response to the client, in contrast to transference, which is about the client’s emotional response to the therapist.
What are examples of negative transference?
Anger is one of the more detrimental transferable emotions. Transference is the unintentional association between a current person and a former romantic partner. For instance, you might run into a new client who reminds you of an old flame. When you countertransfer, you react to someone with all the emotions and thoughts associated with a previous relationship.Negative transference is the process by which a client transfers unfavorable feelings (e. For instance, a person who had a violent, angry father growing up might have a similar experience with their male therapist.The client will eventually approach life with a newfound hope after becoming aware of transference and countertransference and seeing their relationships as being able to be repaired. Transference can be used by the therapist to assist their client in creating better social and relational interactions on all fronts.When a client transfers feelings to a therapist, this is called projection. For instance, your therapist might make you think of your mother. If this is the case, you might think of your therapist as your mother. These emotions can help the therapist determine what work needs to be done during therapy.Transference. Transference, like self-objects, plays a significant role in self-psychology. Transference is the process of transferring needs or emotions from childhood to another person or thing. Mirroring, idealizing, and alter ego/twinship are three ways this can happen.
What are some instances of transference in counseling?
Examples of Transference in Therapy Opponent — If the client is transferring emotions related to an antagonistic relationship, such as a strained relationship with a parent or sibling, they may argue, become defensive, and even disagree with the therapist’s suggestions. Idealizing transference occurs in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis when the patient believes the therapist or analyst has only the best qualities.Positive transference is when the person receiving therapy projects positive traits back onto the therapist. They might view the therapist as considerate or beneficial. The person receiving therapy projects negative traits onto the therapist when there is a negative transference. For instance, they might consider the therapist to be hostile.Positive transfer happens when prior learning experiences make it simple to learn a new skill or perform in a new setting. It is hypothesized that positive transfer happens because an already established motor pathway applies to a similar skill and/or performance framework.By reflecting, the psychologist is paying attention to, recognizing, and acknowledging the subject. If the patient has a strong need to feel special, the therapist’s desire to understand and willingness to give their full attention are reparative.