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Presentation Transferrence 042921 Counter

The document discusses transference and counter-transference, which are psychological phenomena where feelings from past relationships are redirected towards new individuals, particularly in therapeutic settings. It highlights examples of how clients may project feelings from their past onto counselors and vice versa, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and managing these dynamics to maintain professional boundaries. The document also suggests strategies for counselors to address their own emotional responses and ensure effective client relationships.

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K Drieberg
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2 views

Presentation Transferrence 042921 Counter

The document discusses transference and counter-transference, which are psychological phenomena where feelings from past relationships are redirected towards new individuals, particularly in therapeutic settings. It highlights examples of how clients may project feelings from their past onto counselors and vice versa, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and managing these dynamics to maintain professional boundaries. The document also suggests strategies for counselors to address their own emotional responses and ensure effective client relationships.

Uploaded by

K Drieberg
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Transference

Counter-Transference
Keith Drieberg
04-29-21
a phenomenon characterized by
unconscious redirection of feelings from
one person to another.

the redirection of feelings and desires and


especially of those unconsciously retained
from childhood toward a new object.

the inappropriate repetition in the present


of a relationship that was important in a
person's past.
Wikipedia.org
An example

Person A was from a home where his/her father was an


arrogant and domineering person.

As a grown adult you have never been able to get along


with the boss or immediate supervisor or any other figure
of authority.
In a work situation, you transfer to the boss hostile
feelings of the type of you originally felt toward your
father and accuses the boss of the same arrogant
treatment that you had from your father.
Transference
Can you think of a situation in the
residential setting, where clients or
adults react, and it may be something
related to their past…
Client Situations

Client comes from an abusive home where a


male of female abused them. When they meet
you, it reminds them of their abuser, and they
react to you ( because the abuse may happen
again).

How do you recognize this and what do you do?


Client Situations

Client had a grandmother who was the only


person in their life, who cared about them, and
then they were removed from the home or died
and lost access to this person.
They have moved to our house now, and they
meet you, and they respond to you as you are
the new grandma or grandpa.

How do you recognize this and what do you do?


Transference Triggers
Transference occurs in relationships of all kinds on a daily
basis.

Meeting a new person can trigger memories of someone or


an experience from the past. This in turn can trigger feelings
or emotions that can be projected onto that person.

This projection is often unconscious i.e. the ‘projector’ is


often unaware it is occurring.
Transference Triggers
 The trigger could be a facial expression, hair style/ colour, a
spoken phrase, tone of voice, a mannerism, physique etc.

 The client may behave towards the counselor as though they


are someone from their past or as though they are responsible
for, or involved in, a past experience.

 This element of transference may help to explain why many


people experience relationships with people who have
identifiable similarities.
Potential difficult outcomes in Transference

We may reject the client, or fear we will.


We may be complicit to their ‘maladaptive’ relationship
patterns
We may disclose information, which we are later
uncomfortable about, so that the client is not so hurt
(e.g. I am married with children)
Difficulty in managing boundaries
Counselor guilt
Breakdown in therapeutic alliance
Understanding the Transference

Understanding of transference is essential for all of us


as it helps to understand the behavior of the client and
to recognize its significance in his development
process.

It also explains the present unconscious needs of the


client.

Understanding of the transference of factors i.e.


the present behavior and problem, the environmental
forces, the past experiences and earlier relationships
Questions ?
(any last thoughts on what we
do with transference ?

Can all of us have Transference issues?


COUNTER TRANSFERENCE
Counter Transference is a situation in which a
counselor, during the course of counseling,
develops positive or negative feelings toward the
patient.

These feelings may be the counselor’s unconscious


feelings that are stirred up during therapy which the
therapist directs toward the patient.
COUNTER TRANSFERENCE
 When the therapist reacts to the transference
projected onto them by the client.

 The therapist may react as though they are the


person or thing the client is projecting onto
them.

 It is defined as redirection of a counselors


feelings toward a client
What are signs of Counter-transference?

They are extremely critical of you.


They sit too close to you for your comfort.

They express intense feelings about you, your


problems, and your choices.

They take on a parental role with you.


They want to meet outside of counseling.
Adult Situations
You grew up in a home, where your younger
brother was always fighting with you, and you
reacted in the only way you could , by putting them
down a lot in very ugly ways, growing up.

You find yourself now working in a home with young


boys, and when they fight you, it reminds you of
your past. This somehow affects you in how you
respond to them, and there are some who just get
under your skin.

How do you recognize this and what do you do?


Adult Situations
You grew as an only child, and were the center of
attention all your life. You got married and you are the
center of the universe. You have always been fortunate
to be the most important person of those around you.

You find yourself now working in a residential home,


where the needs of those around you take priority. Now,
no one seems to recognize your worth & ideas and this
job is not fulfilling as it is all about them. You have
feelings of un-fulfillment, and life is not what you thought
it would be.

How do you recognize this and what do you do?


For Example:

if a female therapist feels a very strong


sexual attraction to a younger male client,
she must understand this as counter
transference and look at how the client is
attempting to elicit this reaction in them.

What can this Counselor do?


Some reasons for Counter-transference

Client reminds us of someone we have or had strong feelings


for (positive or negative)
We over identify with them (difficulties we have resolved in
the past/similar personality/social standing/age/gender etc.)

Feeling parental towards client

Sexual attraction ( just to normalize this a bit and Pope &


Tabachnik, (1993)* found that the vast majority of therapists
(87%) had been sexually attracted to at least one if not more of
their clients)
What can we do?

Use supervision, more, not less

Accept that feelings towards a client is


normal, and work with that.
Talk to someone about the feelings you
have
Be consistent with boundaries
SOME CLASSICAL
COUNTER-TRANSFERENCE ISSUES

THEMES OF UNRESOVED NEEDS OF THE


Counselor:

COMPETITION
APPROVAL, ADMIRATION, ENVY
SEXUAL LONGING
CARETAKING
NEED FOR POWER
NEED TO BE LOVED, EMOTIONAL INTIMACY
Questions ?
Any last thoughts on what we need
to do with Counter-transference?

Do you respond to our clients


from your own emotional needs?
Conclusion
Transference and counter transference are
barriers for us in our work connecting with
clients.

Sometimes it may help for us to seek


treatment.

We should be conscious about it. Otherwise


it may leads to break the professional
boundaries of our work.
Review

Transference- Responding to a new situation as if it were a


past situation

Positive Transference – When the client has special affection


or adoration towards us

Negative Transference - Occurs when clients mistrust us


without good reason when they expect us to hurt or criticize
them

How to deal with Transference – Do not talk to clients about


their transference / Know when it is about you / Understand it
isn’t usually about the counselor
Review

Counter-Transference – Same as transference


except - from counselor to client.

Signs of Transference – Client passivity


Client trying very hard to please us
Sexual feelings

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