How do you identify transference in therapy?

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.

When is countertransference a problem?

However, a problematic example of countertransference might occur when a person in treatment triggers a therapist’s issues with the therapist’s own child. The person being treated, for example, might be defiant with the therapist and may transfer defiance felt toward a parent onto the therapist.

How do you identify transference and countertransference?

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.

Is countertransference good or bad?

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.

What are the signs of counter-transference in therapy?

The first sign is an inappropriate emotional response to the client. More specifically, when the client is an adult, common counter-transference reactions a therapist, or client, should look out for include: An unreasonable dislike for the client or excessive positive feelings about the client

Does your therapist have countertransference issues?

However, therapists are people too and sometimes fail to meet the level of professionalism one would hope for. One issue that arises is countertransference. This can be detrimental to counseling sessions, so it’s important to know the signs of countertransference in therapy.

Is counter-transference a good or bad thing?

With proper monitoring, however, some research shows that counter-transference can play a productive role in the therapeutic relationship. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines counter-transference as a reaction to the client or client’s transference, 1 which is when the client projects their own conflicts onto the therapist.

What are the four types of counter-transference?

Four Types of Counter-Transference 1 Subjective: The therapist’s own unresolved issues are the cause. 2 Objective: The therapist’s reaction to their client’s maladaptive behaviors is the cause. 3 Positive: The therapist is over-supportive, trying too hard to befriend their client, and disclosing too much.