Table of Contents
What does countertransference look like in therapy?
Examples of countertransference include when the therapist: Offers a lot of advice instead of listening to the client’s experience. Pushed the client to take action the client doesn’t feel ready for. Wants to relate outside of the therapy room. Inappropriately disclosed personal information. Examples of Countertransference Excessive disclosure of personal matters — If the therapist “hits it off” with a client, it can be easy for the therapist to view the client as a friend. This may result in the therapist opening up and sharing personal matters that aren’t beneficial to the client’s treatment. Positive countertransference might be characterized by intense liking/loving of the patient, desire to be with the patient, and the idealization of the patient’s efforts in psychotherapy. Erotic countertransference is a common manifestation, as is an intense maternal countertransference. Transference is the redirection of feelings about a specific person onto someone else (in therapy, this refers to a client’s projection of their feelings about someone else onto their therapist). Countertransference is the redirection of a therapist’s feelings toward the client. So, to answer the question, “Is my therapist attracted to me?”– the context of their actions is crucial. The actions may include a shift in boundaries, such as allowing sessions to go overtime or taking your calls between sessions, or if they appear to seek out opportunities to touch you deliberately.
What is therapist induced countertransference?
Reactive countertransferences are the therapist’s responses to the impact of strong emotions directed toward him by the patient. The induced countertransference is an empathetic process, a suggestive influence that goes from the patient toward the therapist. Examples of countertransference include when the therapist: Over-identifies with the client’s stories and shares too many about themselves. Offers a lot of advice instead of listening to the client’s experience. Pushed the client to take action the client doesn’t feel ready for. Wants to relate outside of the therapy … There are two types of countertransference: negative and positive. Positive countertransference may be used to some benefit in a therapist-client relationship. Post-Jungians such as Fordham7 have gone on to distinguish between two types of countertransference: the illusory and the syntonic. The illusory is stirred up in the therapist’s unconscious from unresolved issues and conflicts in her own psyche. Post-Jungians such as Fordham7 have gone on to distinguish between two types of countertransference: the illusory and the syntonic. The illusory is stirred up in the therapist’s unconscious from unresolved issues and conflicts in her own psyche. What’s the treatment for transference? In cases when the therapist uses transference as part of the therapy process, continuing therapy will help “treat” the transference. The therapist can work with you to end the redirection of emotions and feelings. You’ll work to properly attribute those emotions.
Does my therapist have countertransference?
Countertransference is when therapists start to transfer feelings that they have about someone else in their life and redirect them toward their clients. This can happen for a variety of reasons but usually occurs when a client shares characteristics of someone in a formative relationship in the therapist’s life. Countertransference, which occurs when a therapist transfers emotions to a person in therapy, is often a reaction to transference, a phenomenon in which the person in treatment redirects feelings for others onto the therapist. Despite its negative connotations, countertransference itself is not a bad thing. Rather, it’s the ignoring of countertransference that gets counselors into trouble. For example, the ultimate counseling taboo likely involves crossing ethical boundaries and having a sexual relationship with a client. Therapists experience transference as well, which is known as countertransference. Since a therapist is also human, he or she will have their own history of hope, love, desire to heal others, as well as their own sadness, attachment wounds and relationship issues. Whether your therapist knows you’re attracted to them Therapists know that this happens sometimes, and they’re usually more than willing to address it — if you want to. If you don’t ever wish to bring it up, that’s your right as well.
What does countertransference feel like?
Unreasonable dislike for the client Therapists also need to be aware of countertransference, when they are projecting feelings onto a client. One of the most common signs of countertransference is disliking a client for no apparent or obvious reason (Lambert et al., 2001). Therapists do get frustrated with clients from time to time, but some can handle difficult clients better than others. This may be due to training or inherent personality traits. We can notice if a client may be dissociated if we look out for the following cues: If the client feels in a fog. The client consistently asks therapist to repeat the questions. The client feels as though they are a long way away. Other things to avoid during a therapy session include: asking about other confidential conversations with other clients; showcasing violent emotions; or implying any romantic or sexual interest in your therapist. The number one job of a therapist is to keep you safe and protect their clients’ privacy.
What is countertransference behavior?
Countertransference, which occurs when a therapist transfers emotions to a person in therapy, is often a reaction to transference, a phenomenon in which the person in treatment redirects feelings for others onto the therapist. Transference is often (though not always) the culprit when you feel triggered, emotionally hurt, or misunderstood in a therapy session. One tell-tale sign of transference is when your feelings or reactions seem bigger than they should be. You don’t just feel frustrated, you feel enraged. An obvious sign of transference is when a client directs emotions at the therapist. For example, if a client cries and accuses the therapist of hurting their feelings for asking a probing question, it may be a sign that a parent hurt the client regarding a similar question/topic in the past. When the psychologist mirrors, he or she is giving attention, recognition, and acknowledgement of the person. If the patient has a deep need to feel special, than the therapist’s interest in understanding, and the provision of undivided attention, is reparative.
What is the benefit of countertransference?
The countertransference definition can be thought of as the clinician’s response to a client’s transference. Countertransference is an excellent reminder that clinicians are human beings with feelings and emotions. During a session, a client may open up and bare their souls causing a strong emotional reaction. Countertransference is a therapist’s reactions and feelings toward a client in therapy. These reactions may be conscious or unconscious and can involve positive or negative reactions like anger, irritation, jealousy, or admiration. Therapists experience transference as well, which is known as countertransference. Since a therapist is also human, he or she will have their own history of hope, love, desire to heal others, as well as their own sadness, attachment wounds and relationship issues. Examples of Countertransference Excessive disclosure of personal matters — If the therapist “hits it off” with a client, it can be easy for the therapist to view the client as a friend. This may result in the therapist opening up and sharing personal matters that aren’t beneficial to the client’s treatment.