What Is Countertransference? Definition and Role in Therapy
Countertransference is a therapist's emotional reaction to a client during therapy. Learn the definition, signs, and how it's managed in counselling.
In this article
Countertransference is a therapist’s emotional, cognitive, and behavioural response to a client during the counselling relationship. It can stem from the therapist’s own unresolved issues or from reactions to the client’s behaviour in session. In Ontario, regulated health professionals such as Registered Psychotherapists (RPs), Registered Social Workers (RSWs), and Clinical Psychologists (C.Psych) receive training to recognize and manage countertransference as part of ethical, effective practice.
Countertransference Definition: Classical and Contemporary Views
The classical definition of countertransference was first coined by Freud and was defined as an unconscious phenomenon based on the therapist’s unresolved issues (Kernberg, 1965; Reich, 195, 1960 as cited in Hofsess & Tracey, 2010). Since Freud, there have been other views of countertransference, such as the totalist view, the contemporary view, and the relational conception of countertransference (Hofsess & Tracey, 2010).
Presently the most agreed upon generalized definition is noted by Gelso and Hayes (2007), “countertransference refers to the therapists feelings, cognitions, and behaviours that occur in response to dynamics occurring in the counseling relationship that stem from either the therapists unresolved issues or from the maladaptive behaviours elicited by the client” (as cited in Hofsess & Tracey, 2010).
What Is Countertransference in Therapy? A Normal Process
In general, countertransference is a normal process in therapy and can be effective in understanding client dynamics in order to improve therapy (Friedman & Gelso, 2000).
However, if the therapist ignores the feelings, then they can be acted out and damage therapy, which is referred to as countertransference behaviour (Friedman & Gelso, 2000). Countertransference behaviour directly reflects the therapist’s own conflicts, which need to be managed so they are not acted out during therapy with the client (Friedman & Gelso, 2000).
Signs of Countertransference Behaviour
Countertransference behaviour can be manifested as avoidance, withdrawal, loss of therapeutic objectivity, too much talk from the therapist, an over-supportive stance by the therapist, or the therapist can become anxious (Friedman & Gelso, 2000).
Countertransference Management in Counselling
Five qualities that may be important for countertransference management as described by Van Wagoner, Gelso, Hayes, and Diemer (1991) include self-insight, self-integration, conceptualizing ability, empathy, anxiety and anger management (as cited in Friedman & Gelso, 2000).
Ultimately, it is up to the therapist to understand and manage their countertransference issues so situations do not occur making an already vulnerable situation worse. At Bayridge Counselling Centres, our therapists work within a clinical supervision framework that supports ongoing self-reflection and professional accountability.
References
Friedman, S. M., & Gelso, C. J. (2000). The Development of the Inventory of Countertransference Behaviour. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(9), 1221-1235.
Hofsess, C. D., & Tracey, T. J. G. (2010). Countertransference as a Prototype: The Development of a Measure. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 57(1), 52-67. doi:10.1037/a0018111
