Transference And Counter-Transference In Research

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Running head: TRANSFERENCE AND COUNTER-TRANSFERENCE

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TRANSFERENCE AND COUNTER-TRANSFERENCE

Transference and Counter-Transference

Harriet L. Wiley

Mississippi College

Abstract

Transference and counter-transference are natural behaviors. The literature under review has focused on the expression of counter-transference and transference in many ways. The value of recognizing both are acknowledged due to them being dually important by having positive and negative behaviors depending on the approach. The knowledge provided would help provide insight and comprehension reflected in the quality of care which the client receives. Both transference and counter-transference will be defined and explained for a better understanding,

As a therapist, self-monitoring is a positive behavior that should be practiced daily during therapeutic session and not focus on past situations. Therapeutic responsibility for a therapist is to become so self-aware of personal behaviors or issues that counter-transference is not an issue. Therapists have to make therapeutic space for clients to assist them to react as they needed to help with their emotional distress as well. Recognizing counter-transference is excessive self-disclosure on the part of the therapist or inappropriate interest in irrelevant details from the life of the person in treatment (Gedo, 2013). If the therapist feeling toward the client that is being treated behavior is not appropriate or the treatment process is not effective, than the therapist is not managing counter-transference (Gedo, 2013). The therapist should be aware of possible signs. If the issue does not resolve, after knowing of the negative behavior the client may have to be

A clinician should talk with a supervisor or mentor if they are insecure about concerns surrounding counter-transference as well as being open to counter-transference confrontations. Typically, a therapist’s supervisor can help with most counter-transference issues. A clinician should practice to control their behavior or pick up on triggers to have full control of their actions. But there will be times when it occurs and it must be stopped immediately. Some simple ways of managing counter-transference is proper training which means a therapist is very aware of countertransference and knows how to monitor and manage outrage impulses, that approach may come from school or observing a mentor; A second way is through experience, an experienced therapist knows how to catch a reaction from clients faster and able to use personal boundaries effective; also supervision, a therapist should always utilize their surroundings in getting that direct support, rather from a mentor or supervisor that will observe and monitor them on skill building (Prasko, Diveky, Grambal, Kamaradova, Mozny, Sigmundova, Slepecky, Vyskocilova,