How Can You Deal With Countertransference?
In the realm of therapeutic practice, managing personal emotions towards clients is crucial for effectiveness. This article delves into proven strategies for handling countertransference, featuring advice from seasoned professionals in the field. Readers will gain a clear understanding of self-evaluation tactics, emotional management, and the importance of reflective supervision.
- Conduct Frequent Self Evaluation And Supervision
- Examine Emotional State To Manage Countertransference
- Reflect And Seek Supervision For Awareness
- Seek Advice To Integrate Information Into Sessions
- Check If Feelings Are About Client
Conduct Frequent Self Evaluation And Supervision
In my practice, I've dealt with countertransference by conducting frequent self evaluation and supervision. I stepped back to examine my emotions when I saw that I was getting too invested in a client's case because of similar personal experiences. I was aware of my emotional reaction and sought supervision to get perspective and learn how to remain objective.
I was able to put the needs of the client back into focus by processing these feelings outside of the therapy session and letting my own experiences not get in the way. The result was a more harmonious and successful therapeutic alliance in which I was able to provide the client with my full support while upholding my professional boundaries.
Examine Emotional State To Manage Countertransference
It is normal for different emotions to arise within the therapeutic relationship because everyone has a unique identity, values, and worldview. The American Psychological Association defines countertransference as "the therapist's unconscious (and often conscious) reactions to the patient" (2018). In other words, countertransference is how a therapist feels or reacts toward a client. There are multiple ways to manage countertransference including self-examination, consultation with a colleague, personal therapy, referring out, or supervision.
As a clinician, I often try to examine my emotional state because it also helps me decipher what feelings are mine and which belong to the client. For example, I recall having a new intake and feeling relatively calm. However, five minutes into the session I felt a wave of anxiety. During the appointment, I noticed the client had restless body language and changes in their breathing patterns. After practicing emotionally regulative tools, they described never attending therapy and feeling nervous. After the session, I processed the incident and recognized that I was experiencing my client's emotional state, not my own, and felt better afterward.
Other tools to manage countertransference include consulting with a colleague, a supervisor, referring out, and engaging in personal therapy. About two years ago, I naively attempted to provide couples therapy. Initially, I was excited, but I ended up having strong countertransference and difficult cases. I noticed feeling drained or hopeless after sessions. First, I consulted with my supervisor, and we reviewed helpful interventions that I could implement. In doing so, it helped build my confidence, enhanced my professional development, and assisted in making meaningful changes. Afterward, I consulted with my colleagues and found their insights equally helpful.
However, I realized early on that some of these couples would be better served if referred to a more seasoned clinician. After doing so, I felt better and hoped those clients would receive the help they need. Personal therapy is also important because sooner or later a client may also reflect a similar wound we possess. For that reason, personal therapy is the key to helping others navigate their own painful experiences.
American Psychological Association. (2018, April 19). APA Dictionary of Psychology. American Psychological Association. https://dictionary.apa.org/countertransference
Reflect And Seek Supervision For Awareness
**HARO Response:**
I've encountered countertransference in my practice, and I've learned that awareness and reflection are crucial. I remember one client whose experiences mirrored some of my own unresolved struggles. I noticed myself feeling overly protective, which could have influenced the therapeutic dynamic.
When I recognized this, I made it a point to pause and reflect after sessions, asking myself, "Are my emotions helping or hindering the client's progress?" I also discussed it in supervision, which gave me a safe space to untangle my personal feelings from the client's needs. It was humbling but incredibly enlightening.
By addressing it head-on, I was able to refocus on maintaining professional boundaries while still showing empathy. The outcome was a stronger therapeutic alliance because I was more present and attuned to the client, not clouded by my own emotions.
I think being honest with ourselves about countertransference makes us better therapists. I'd love to see how this article unfolds--thanks for including this important topic!
Seek Advice To Integrate Information Into Sessions
As a therapist, there are often random thoughts or feelings clients will bring up that feel relatable to what I've experienced in my life. This can be an overwhelming feeling as you don't want to interfere with the therapeutic process or interrupt their journey. It's important to find the balance of understanding what should be kept to yourself and what could be revealed that would be beneficial to the client. When I've experienced countertransference in my practice, I've sought out advice from my supervisor and discussed with other therapists what might be the best ways to integrate this information into sessions while maintaining awareness of the client's needs and staying present with them in the moment. By going through this thoughtful process of seeking out others' opinions, I felt validated in my approach to connect with the client and helped foster the therapeutic alliance through this practice.
Check If Feelings Are About Client
I notice the feeling and ask myself if this is about me or the client. If sharing my feelings will contribute to our therapeutic relationship then I do so. Sometimes I check in and ask if they feel the same way I do. If so, then my feelings were intuitive. If they do not share the same feelings, then it opens the door to further exploring and clarifying their experience.
