Sexual Transference Towards a Therapist in the Mid-phase of Short-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Transference has been described as unconscious feelings that are transposed onto another significant individual ( Bloom. J Am Psychoanal Assoc. 1973 ;21:61-76). In the strictest sense, this occurs only in therapy settings, but in a more general sense, it occurs throughout life. Transference can be negative, positive, or sexualized. If unresolved it can create a sticky transference neurosis and impediments to progress (Koo. J Psychother Pract Res. 2001;10(1):28-36). Short-term dynamic therapy, as propounded by Dr Habib Davanloo, is structured to prevent the development of a transference neurosis and addresses the transference from the very beginning, including the first session itself. Following is a case of sexual transference which was addressed in the mid-phase of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy.