“The transference phenomenon is an inevitable feature of every thorough analysis.” – Carl Jung (CW16, par 283.) 

Transference and countertransference can not be avoided. It is the key to psychoanalysis in the way that it can bring to light that which causes stress for the client. The only way it can do good is by understanding how transference and countertransference works and how we can use it practically to benefit our mental health.

What is transference and countertransference?

Transference definition

< n. in psychoanalysis, a patient’s displacement or projection onto the analyst of those unconscious feelings and wishes originally directed toward important individuals, such as parents, in the patient’s childhood. It is posited that this process brings repressed material to the surface where it can be re-experienced, studied, and worked through to discover the sources of a patient’s current neurotic difficulties and to alleviate their harmful effects. Although the theoretical aspects of the term are specific to psychoanalysis, transference has a recognized role in various other types of therapeutic encounters, including counseling and short-term dynamic psychotherapy. The term’s broader meaning—an unconscious repetition of earlier behaviors and their projection onto new subjects—is acknowledged as applying to all human interaction.>

Transference first came from Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic practice in 1890. It is one method of psychoanalysis where one can recognize unconscious conflicts. Ultimately, transference is when a person projects their feelings onto another person according to their own feelings based on past experiences. This can either be helpful in psychotherapy or a downright hindrance if not brought to awareness.

What are the different types of transference?

There are several concepts of transference.  some of which are listed below.

• Non-Familial Transference.

This is where the client will treat other people, or their counselor, according to their own ideas of that person as opposed to who they really are to the client. This usually shows up when people play a role in the client’s life and they focus and depend on certain stereotypes that benefit or reassure them. 

• Sexualized transference.

This phenomenon is when the client develops a sexual attraction or fixation with the counselor. This is more than the detached acknowledgment of the therapist or counselor’s attractiveness and it often results in inappropriate behavior from the client which breaches the therapeutic relationship boundaries.

• Paternal Transference.

This is when the client sees and relates to their therapist in a fatherly manner. They associate their own feelings with the therapist, according to the kind of relationship they had with their father. This could be positive in a way where the client portrays the therapist in a strong, protective role. Negative transference, in this case, would be feelings of rejection or inadequacy. 

• Maternal Transference.

Similarly to paternal transference, the client associates the therapist with their own mother. The positive transference might be depending on their therapist as a source of nurturing comfort or love. Negative feelings in this situation would be feelings of rejection, feeling unloved, and sometimes even possessiveness.

Warning signs of transference

The warning signs of the client’s transference are often done unconsciously by the client. If the therapist does not become aware of it soon enough it can seriously affect the therapeutic relationship. Identifying transference signs has been regarded as of the utmost importance in psychodynamic therapy. Below is a list of warning signs the clinician might notice. 

• Aversion to therapy.
• Hostility towards therapist or situation in their life
• Choice of words, whether it be negative or positive, relating to the therapist or someone in their life.
• Client’s dependency on someone in their life or the therapist.
• Sexual attraction from client to therapist can be identified through body language or the client’s choice of words.
• Defensive behavior or emotional reactions from certain triggers, like mentioning the name of someone in their life who might be causing grief in the client’s perspective.

How to deal with transference

Transference is not always a bad thing, in fact, it happens often in everyday life situations but mostly in a therapeutic setting. Some psychotherapists even encourage it. The best way to deal with it starts with awareness.  From there, there is a multitude of methods to understand transference. A few are listed below.

1. As a psychotherapist or counselor, be aware of your own counter-transference (or lack thereof) before making judgments on your client’s situation
2. Journaling your feelings.
3. Recognizing if your therapeutic alliance has been damaged due to the transference and if you need to refer your client to another therapist
4. Bringing the transference to the client’s awareness, bearing in mind any particular sensitivities.
5. Notice what gives you or your client anxiety and work out the cause from the roots.
6. Work out the true feelings or desires behind any negative emotion.
7. Be empathetic. Empathy helps to show your client they are not alone in their thoughts which might help the internal judgment which can cause blockages in the therapeutic process.

Countertransference definition

<  n. the therapist’s unconscious (and often conscious) reactions to the patient and to the patient’s transference. These thoughts and feelings are based on the therapist’s own psychological needs and conflicts and may be unexpressed or revealed through conscious responses to patient behavior. The term was originally used to describe this process in psychoanalysis but has since become part of the common lexicon in other forms of psychodynamic psychotherapy and in other therapies. In classical psychoanalysis, countertransference was viewed as a hindrance to the analyst’s understanding of the patient, but to modern analysts and therapists, it may serve as a source of insight into the patient’s effect on other people. In either case, the analyst or therapist must be aware of, and analyze, countertransference so that it can be used productively within the therapeutic process. >

Instead of the client transferring their own feelings onto other people or situations, countertransference is when the redirection of the therapist’s own experiences onto their client. It is essential for the therapist to stay neutral during their sessions so as not to cloud their client with biased ideas.

What are the different types of countertransference?

• Reactive countertransference 

This is when a client projects their transference and the therapist reacts as if it’s real when it’s actually a distortion.

• Defensive countertransference

This is when the therapist’s unresolved experiences are triggered by something their client did or said.

• Identification countertransference

This is when the therapist over-identifies or resonates with the client’s experiences or reactions. This can be harmful as they might start to avoid addressing areas that the client needs to address because it reminds them of their own unresolved problem.

• Displaced countertransference

This is where the therapist exerts their feelings towards one client onto another who is unrelated to the first client’s problem.

Warning signs of countertransference

The warning signs of countertransference are

• When a therapist extends the sessions unnecessarily for a client
• Notice avoidance to discuss certain topics with the client.
• Expressing sympathy instead of empathy.
• Too much self-disclosure from the therapist.
• Giving advice to clients instead of allowing them to reach their own conclusion.
• Unwarranted emotional reactions towards a client’s problem

How to deal with countertransference

The best way to deal with countertransference, much like transference, is through awareness. Sigmund Freud was the first to start speaking about countertransference and the effect it has on the therapeutic process.

1. Be aware and pay attention to your own feelings when dealing with clients.
2. Overly interested in unnecessary information or details about the client. 
3. Be mindful of how you react to your client, try to remain neutral to their situations.
4. Avoid excessive self-disclosure.
5. As the therapist, you must be mindful of possible avoidance over certain topics because it relates to a personal experience.
6. Be aware of any feelings which favor the perpetrator over the victim.
7. Be mindful of true intentions between you and the client
8. Notice any defensive feelings or reactions towards the client’s situation.

Transference and countertransference examples

Examples of transference and countertransference in therapy

Transference examples

1. An example of transference in therapy is when the client relates the characteristics of their father or mother to their boss. This could lead them to feel they are inadequate with the job or possibly an over-inflated sense of importance.

2. An example of sexualized transference could be if the client expresses sexual or romantic attraction towards their caregiver who has similar qualities to a beloved lost partner.

Countertransference examples

1. A therapist’s client might disclose racist or homophobic opinions which might contrast the therapist’s own views on the topic. The therapist might find themselves reacting defensively towards the client. If the therapist remains neutral in reaction they could 

Examples of transference and countertransference in social work

In a situation with a family where the husband is abusive towards his wife and possibly even their children. 

Transference examples

The husband might be constantly inquiring about the wife, her actions, and whereabouts and she might transfer those feelings of fear or avoidance she feels for him onto the therapist by avoiding talking about her husband in a bad manner and leaving out necessary details which might help her case. The wife might find the therapist 

Countertransference examples

The therapist might have had an abusive father herself and she felt deep sadness or frustration with her own mother for not standing up for herself. She could unknowingly perform countertransference by projecting her frustration onto the wife, who is her client, instead of remaining neutral to find the cause of the wife’s avoidance and anxiety.

Examples of transference and countertransference in counseling

In a general therapeutic session between a therapist and their client. The therapist suggests to the client to start journaling or diarizing his or her experiences every night at home to gain some perspective when read later on.

Transference examples

The client might feel a general frustration towards homework for school and he or she might project those feelings onto the therapist for suggesting the journal method because it’s more work.

Countertransference examples

The therapist might have her own child of a similar age who has a similar distaste towards homework. She might project her feelings of frustration over the attempts to convince her own child to do his homework, onto her child client. 

Examples of transference and countertransference in nursing

In a situation where a traumatized child is acting in a panicked manner and the nurse who is assisting him needs to perform a number of tests which includes taking blood samples.

Transference examples

The child might transfer his or her feelings of fear onto the nurse making it difficult for her to do her job or even comfort him.

Countertransference examples

The nurse might be exhausted and frustrated after many hour shifts in a hospital and he or she might project those feelings onto the child which might only aggravate the child’s behavior.

Examples of transference and countertransference in cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is based on recognizing any negative thought or behavioral patterns that cause blockages. 

Transference examples

Transference in this case could be helpful for the therapist as well as the client in a way that brings to light the root cause of certain aspects that cause negative thoughts or behaviors. The therapist could take note of any anxieties and follow that lead.

Countertransference examples

The therapist could use countertransference to help a client who struggles with conversation in general, let alone expressing deep emotions, by choosing to disclose something personal about himself or herself.

What is the difference between transference and countertransference? (Recap)

The difference between transference and countertransference is transference is the projection of a client onto another person in their life or the therapist whereas countertransference is the projection of feelings and personal experiences onto the client.

Transference vs countertransference: Final points/Our conclusion/Key takeaways

Ultimately transference and countertransference is an unavoidable fact of life. It happens in everyday situations between family members, co-workers, and friends. The key to understanding your loved ones and yourself is noticing transference by them or your own countertransference onto them.

FAQs

How do you identify transference and countertransference?

Noticing unwarranted negative emotional reactions made by the client or the therapist. 

How do you deal with transference and countertransference?

Being mindful of your own feelings according to your personal experiences and how you are reacting to other people who are unrelated to those experiences.

How can transference and countertransference be ethical issues?

In the case where the therapist is attracted to or has fallen for his client, it is an ethical question for his career as a counselor or psychologist and how conducts his practice.

Resources

American Psychological Association:

•  https://dictionary.apa.org/transference
• https://dictionary.apa.org/countertransference

Written by:
Jade Small