Why is transference so contentious? The dispute within the world of psychotherapy surrounds this question: how can anyone know whether these feelings would not have occurred outside of the patient-doctor relationship? If the patient sincerely believes that she would have fallen in love with her therapist had they met in a social setting, how could it be proved that she is wrong? Harmful Effects of Transference. While many therapists use transference as a technique for psychotherapeutic rehabilitation, there are problems that can arise because of transference.
Some therapists may transfer their own feelings onto the client — a phenomenon known as countertransference. In the realm of the doctor-patient relationship, the patient may generally do anything the therapist asks, including sexual behavior. Transference can become an especially sensitive issue if the therapist has a dual relationship with the patient. Therapists cannot always completely avoid social relationships with their patients.
In these cases, it is likely that the therapist will have patients who experience transference reactions towards them. Transference reactions can also develop during therapy even if the therapist does not have a dual relationship with his or her client. If transference does develop, it can cause the patient to experience difficulties with other patients and therapists even after the therapy has ended. Furthermore, when a patient and therapist have a transference relationship, the patient could cease to look upon the therapist as a safe person to talk to.
He or she might begin to withhold information during a session, and if the sessions do not go well, the therapist may not have the information he or she needs in order to help correct the problem. Transference is Normal, But be Aware. Although it is vital to recognize transference as a normal stage of therapy, if a therapist appears to reciprocate romantic feelings or attempts to initiate a sexual relationship, this therapist is no longer helpful to the patient.
In fact, therapists can do considerable harm to their patient when this occurs. However, in most cases therapists can use transference as a stage of therapy to help a patient determine a more healthy view of key relationships with romantic partners or family members.
While these feelings can be confusing and difficult, especially when the patient is married and those feelings seem unfaithful or seem to conflict with marriage vows, the patient should not feel guilty for having these feelings. Transference can help the therapist understand why that fear of intimacy exists.
They can then work toward resolving it. This may help the patient develop healthy, long-lasting relationships. Countertransference occurs when a therapist redirects their own feelings or desires onto their patients. It can also happen independently of any behaviors from the patient. Therapists are guided by strict professional codes. As such, they work to establish clear lines of separation between themselves as a healthcare provider and you as a patient.
They need to maintain a professional distance. However, the space between therapist and patient can be a murky one. Transference can complicate the situation, too. Some professionals do struggle with these issues at some points in their practice.
Therapists can try to prevent or improve countertransference. They may turn to colleagues and undergo therapy themselves. Therapists may also recommend patients to colleagues to alleviate the situation and provide the best possible care for the patient. Projection and transference are very similar. The difference between the two is where the misattributions occur. Projection occurs when you attribute a behavior or feeling you have about a person onto them.
The attributed emotions may be both positive love, adoration, worship or negative hostility, aggression, jealousy. They can also grow as your feelings toward the person grow.
Transference in therapy may be unintentional. A patient redirects feelings about a parent, sibling, or spouse onto the therapist. It could also be intentional or provoked. Your therapist may actively work with you to draw out these feelings or conflicts. This way they can better see and understand them. In all cases, a therapist should make the patient aware of when transference is happening. Unaddressed transference can be problematic for the patient. It may even prevent them from returning for treatment.
This is counterproductive. In a well-established therapy relationship, a patient and a therapist can choose to use transference as a tool of treatment. Transference can be a good thing. You experience positive transference when you apply enjoyable aspects of your past relationships to your relationship with your therapist. This can have a positive outcome because you see your therapist as caring, wise and concerned about you. Negative transference sounds bad but actually can enhance your therapeutic experience.
Once realized, the therapist can use it as a topic of discussion and examine your emotional response. This type of transference is especially useful if your therapist helps you overcome an emotional response that is out of proportion to the reality of what transpired during the session. Are you feeling attracted to your therapist? You might be suffering from sexualized transference if your feelings for your therapist are:.
The therapist must always be aware of the possibility that their own internal conflicts could be transferred to the client as well. This process, known as counter-transference , can greatly muddy the therapeutic relationship.
Despite the negative connotation of counter-transference, some psychotherapists are finding ways of using it in therapeutic ways. Once your therapist recognizes that you're experiencing transference, they probably won't want to discuss it right away.
However, it will be necessary to address it at some point. If the topic is avoided, it could lead to an impasse in therapy down the line and negatively impact your relationship with your therapist because you, the client, may:. Common misspellings include: transferance, transferrence, transferrance. Michelle became very angry with her therapist when he discussed the possibility of homework activities.
Through the exploration of the anger with the therapist, Michelle discovered that she was experiencing transference of unresolved anger toward an authoritarian elementary school teacher.
Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. Andersen SM, Przybylinski E. Experiments on transference in interpersonal relations: implications for treatment. Does therapists' disengaged feelings influence the effect of transference work? A study on countertransference. Clin Psychol Psychother.
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