Negative Transference: A Psychodynamic Case Study

In contemporary psychology, clinicians typically make a distinction between helpful and unhelpful countertransference. Many contemporary psychologists openly share their own feelings with the people they are treating and may use countertransference, in a conscious manner, to understand differences between their own experiences and the experiences of the person in therapy.

Susanna would benefit most from a psychodynamic treatment approach, with a specific emphasis on clarification, confrontation, and interpretation/transference interpretation. As highlighted by McWilliams (1999), recurrent themes emerge within the therapy which constitute the client’s internal and external world. With this in mind, Susanna’s internal object relations would undoubtedly unfold in the relationship with the therapist. As Susanna evidences a lack of insight, it will be the therapist’s responsibility to clarify Susanna’s experiences for her. In this view, clarification refers to the reformulation of the patient’s verbalizations to convey a more coherent view of what is being communicated. The therapist may want to clarify what it was like in Susanna’s household growing up, and gather further information on Susanna’s romantic relationships. Clarifying sentiments might include “you stated that at times you felt loved by your mother, and hated at other times, but overall do you feel that your mother loves you?”

The therapist fails to correct the relational patterns of the client when faced with client-induced countertransference (Teyber & McClure, 2011). The therapist is to be providing treatment that will facilitate change so that the client can be successful in their current and future relationships. Some effective therapist can identify client-induced countertransference while some therapist later discover it. The discovery of client-induced countertransference can be beneficial earlier rather than later so that the relationship between therapist and client continues to produce effective

If a therapist is not in control, the treatment would not be effective. Additionally, critics argue that despite the change in behavior, this type of therapy does not change how an individual feels with regards to a particular aspect. The therapist does not consider the underlying emotional needs of a patient thereby failing to provide effective treatment. Furthermore, the relationship between a therapist and a client is

Therapist anxiety may stem from perceived loss of the professional role and the sense that there is a growing equality between the client and therapist. During the ending phase, both client and therapist may experience similar emotions, all of which can raise anxiety which is threatening to the therapist. Emotions like sadness, anger, guilt, and relief produce a “sameness” in the experience where there was once a more clear-cut expectation of responses and roles of both the client and therapist. In reality, a point is reached where the professional status of the therapist is more or less given up, where neither client nor therapist hold their role because the therapy is over. The blurring of roles may a source of anxiety as the therapist feels that they need to reestablish an identity in the relationship (Martin & Schurtman, 1985).

(2005), explains that something within the projection could hook someone else in a negative way. In addition, Rizq, R. (2005) defines projective identification as a development within the therapeutic process resulting in feelings and thoughts conceivably affecting someone else and maybe reversed from client to counsellor as well. Alternatively, the counsellor may have unconsciously brought, proactive countertransference, Clarkson, P, (2002) to the process. Proactive countertransference is defined as thoughts, feelings, and the ambience that are introduced into the process by the counsellor. However, in saying this, if the counsellor was consciously awareness of this within the process they may effectively be able to develop or could consider using this in helping them understand the client. Additional attributes of the counsellor were wounds that appeared in the counsellor 's thoughts, (a) mistrust of others, and (b) a presumption that relationships fall apart due to hiding their secrets. This also infers, by placing trust in a relationship we are likely to be deceived and deserted.

Psychodynamic counselling has a long history and vast literature to condense so only a brief overview is possible here – following on from the themes already discussed and with particular focus on four psychologists: Freud, Jung, Adler and Klein.

In modern-day psychology, it is not uncommon for clinicians to make a distinction between helpful and unhelpful countertransference (Countertransference, 2016). For example, many contemporary psychologists openly share their feelings with their clients, often times using countertransference, in a conscious manner. When using countertransference in this way, it may be beneficial in understanding the differences between their own experiences and the experience of the person in therapy. On the other hand, unhelpful countertransference is problematic and can be harmful to the relationship between the client and therapist. Problematic countertransference occurs when the therapist transfers inappropriate feelings to a client, or when the therapist uses a client to meet personal psychological needs (Countertransference, 2016).

The issues of transference, either a positive transference where the child views the therapist as a good parent, or a negative transference where the child views the therapist as a bad or authoritarian parent can occur during therapy, also issues of countertransference could arise for the therapist and it is important that the therapist monitors these and addresses them as appropriate. (Geldard, Geldard & Yin Foo, 2013).

This too is often unconscious, although is easily enough ascertained. An awareness of one’s countertransference is critical for the therapist. The same texts tell of two types of countertransference possibly engaged in by the therapist; these are the unconscious attitude towards the client, and the therapist’s reaction to the client’s transference. In all cases of countertransference, the primary directive of serving the client’s needs first is abandoned to serve the therapist’s

Closeness is a subjective term. Getting too close could mean a fear of having clients dependent on the therapist. The term “dependency” has a negative connotation, but the text tells us that dependency is an element of psychotherapy in the beginning and middle phases (Pipes & Davenport, 1999). . This is not to be feared, and the therapist should have a strong enough sense of self to not define themselves based on client feelings or actions (Pipes & Davenport, 1999). . The authors express special caution towards prematurely assuming client

A therapist has many clients, but the client has only one therapist. Therefore, it is understandable why the therapist holds such a special place in some clients’ minds. Moreover, it is also reasonable to assume a therapist, while deeply caring for their clients, will not have the same intensity of feelings towards their clients. However, this tension is not an excuse for therapists to not let their clients matter to them. I believe an “I-Thou” relationship as defined by Balswick, King, and Reimer (2005) must be present for true therapy to take place. As Rogers notes, it is the therapist’s presence, or their authentic caring presence, which is the greatest tool in the therapeutic process (Corey,

Related to the transfer process described by Freud (transferring unresolved conflicts in childhood to the therapist), a concept currently extended to include the transfer of feelings and behavioral patterns not only from children's conflicts with parents, but also with other significant persons In the course of life. While client and therapist focus their attention on client issues and issues, there is an interpersonal process in which clients behave with the therapist the way they have learned to do it with other meaningful people in their lives. The therapist's task is to avoid responding to clients in a predictive way, so that the client experiences a new and more satisfactory response in his relationship with the therapist.

Both practices aim to set aside and work through non-therapeutic therapist feeling, through supervision and personal reflection(Owen, 1999, pg. 168). The therapist also shows a great deal of empathy and there is a great importance on the client/counselor relationship. From the first session, setting boundaries occurs, along with some from of assessment for therapy and setting aside preconceptions, as therapist from both schools strive to meet their clients(Owen, 1999, pg. 167). Both of these theories also show that trapped or hidden emotions hinder the persons self esteem and by by expression, it allows the client to find ways to improve those

The antagonists in this book are his patient from whom he elicits permission before using them. The author uses scenarios from some of his therapy sessions to evoke alertness in his audience as well as to provide a practical framework with which they can relate or be guided as therapists or future therapists.