Transference Introduction
Transference Introduction
(Sigmund Freud)
TRANSFERENCE
It is a theoretical phenomenon characterized by unconscious redirection of the feelings of a
person that has about a second person to feelings the first person has about a third person. It
usually concerns feelings from an important second-person relationship from childhood, and is
sometimes considered inappropriate. Transference was first described by Sigmund Freud, the
founder of psychoanalysis, who considered it an important part of psychoanalytic treatment.
According to The Source published in 2001, "During transference, people turn into a 'biological
time machine."' A nerve is struck when someone says or does something that reminds you of
your past. This creates an "emotional time warp" that transfers your emotional past and your
psychological needs into the present.
UNDERSTANDING TRANSFERENCE
To understand transference is an essential for the counsel to understand the behavior of the
client and to recognize its significance in his development process.
It explains the present unconscious needs for the client. Understanding of the transference
factors i.e the present behavior and problem, the environmental forces, the past experiences
and earlier relationships whether family-relationship or in romantic-relationship.
The interpretation of the transference, that is, confronting the individual with the awareness that
his behavior is the repetition of a specific unconscious infantile is definitely part of the psycho-
analytical therapy and requires preparation of the individual by the careful analysis of his
unconscious defense.
The transference (from the term transferring) helps in treatment in number of ways. First, the
mature ego strengths of the counsel serves to reinforce the weak ego strengths of the client;
Second, the client will feel relaxed; Third, the client start abandoning resistances; Fourth, he
perceives the situation more realistically; Fifth, the client, when he does not responds
neurotically, helps the client to see and bear the reality; and the identification with the counsel
gradually helps the client to strengthen his ego power and capacity for reality testing and
problem solving.
Thus, the effects of transference are many but it is the leaven of treatment, not treatment itself.
COUNTERTRANSFERENCE
It is a therapist’s emotional entanglement with a client. The relationship is a two way process.
Lawyers have also unconscious tendency to transfer out the client. As in the case of
transference, these countertransference, both positive and negative, are unconscious but
operate with force. Therefore, it is the job of the counsels to recognize his feelings and must
control them.
In transference, it is best to tell and appraise the client during the interview, to be aware of his
corresponding body and facial gestures during the trial. Note that the Judge is also observing
the DEMEANOR of witnesses during the trial proceedings and he has his own way of
interpreting the facial expressions, tone of voice and body movements of the witness. In other
words, this may help spell the difference in winning a case.