Countertransference Phenomena Research Articles

A dream about the supervisor, considered as a phenomenon of countertransference

Grosen A, Sarauw Kristiansen E. A dream about the supervisor, considered as a phenomenon of countertransference.Using a clinical example, a description is given of the manner in which the therapist via empathy with the patient experiences reactivation of an oedipal conflict. It reveals itself partly in the form of countertransference, partly in the form of transference to the supervisor. Through the supervisor's identification with the therapist, the conflict remains unconscious until a dream mobilizes insight. We draw attention to the probability that supervision is a reflection of therapy, especially with regard to transference/countertransference.

A multidimensional typology of countertransference responses

Of all the countless phenomena intrinsic to psychoanalytic therapy, the construct of countertransference is one of the most conceptually and technically burdensome. As yet, no single theoretically consistent and universally accepted classification of countertransference responses exists. This article proposes a multidimensional typology of countertransference phenomena which can be employed to help monitor clinical practice.

Disguised Countertransference in Institutions.

The manifest reason for the hospitalization of psychiatric patients is that someone decides that they are in danger of suicide or homicide, or that they are unable sufficiently to care for or manage themselves. From another perspective, however, hospitalization can be understood as a consequence of limitations on the part of the family, the community, or the therapist in managing the affects generated in relation to these patients' behavior and communications. In other words, it is possible that patients may be hospitalized primarily because people in their lives (and often they themselves) cannot stand their own reactions to them and to their behavior. A less readily recognizable aspect of the institution, then, may be its use as a place to lock away unacknowledged, or at best uninterpreted problems of unbearable human responses to patients' psychopathology. In therapeutic relationships, where these issues are condensed, such responses are termed countertransference. The connections between individual relationships and institutional behavior are complex and inevitably contentious. In this paper, we suggest that a study of these connections may reveal disguised elements and illuminate some of the parameters of the complex phenomenon of countertransference.

Replication of the Phenomenology of Loneliness in the Therapeutic Dyad

This paper will illustrate a possible countertransference phenomenon. Through a brief theoretical discussion, supplemented by clinical vignettes, the following position will be developed: The therapist may contribute to the patient's experience of loneliness when he or she intervenes without a recognition of self as a contributor to the interactive process.

The revival of "Dora": advances in psychoanalytic theory and technique.

For nearly six decades after its publication in 1905, Freud's remarkable case of Dora remained untouched by critical comment. However, beginning in the early 1970's, an abundance of articles began to appear, which focused exclusively on the Dora case. The present paper reviews the literature of this so-called "Dora revival" in order to explain the historical and theoretical reasons leading to this extraordinary burst of research. Above all, two vital developments in the psychoanalytic discipline created the climate that fostered the Dora revival. First, there was a revolutionary change in attitude toward the phenomenon of countertransference: in contrast to the classical view of countertransference as a disruptive interference in treatment, analysts increasingly regarded countertransference as a pervasive and natural process, which could be potentially utilized to enhance understanding of the patient's unconscious conflicts and defenses. Second, there was enormous and rapid growth of a comprehensive psychoanalytic theory of adolescence and its treatment. Thus, based on a more favorable attitude toward countertransference, and a much improved understanding of the unique problems of adolescence, psychoanalysts could reexamine and better understand the decisive events that contributed to Freud's abortive analytic treatment of Dora.

Sexuality in the older individual.

Approximately 12% of the population of the United States is over 65 and almost one quarter is over the age of 50. It is obvious from these numbers, that our older citizens constitute an ever expanding segment of our society. As a consequence of this, we as analysts and therapists must re-examine our clinical approaches to such people. A review of the sparse analytic literature dealing with the sexuality of older people is presented, as are a number of clinical examples of analytic approaches toward the sexual problems of older people. Special emphasis is given to certain transference and counter-transference phenomena encountered in such treatments.

Redecision Analysis of Transference: A TA Approach to Transference Neurosis

Transference neurosis is discussed from a TA perspective. Mellor's (1980) developmental model of impasses is considered as a useful way to analyze transference and countertransference phenomena. Clinical examples are given and treatment planning is illustrated.

Countertransference in focal psychotherapy.

The authors discuss the role and development of countertransference in brief psychotherapy. Factors inherent to the goals, setting and techniques of brief therapy appear to undercut the development of a regressive countertransference. The countertransference phenomena that seem to be more prevalent in brief treatment are those stemming from the reality-based response of the therapist to the patient. The impact of these factors on patient selection and treatment outcome in brief therapy are discussed.

The Racially Different Psychiatrist—Implications for Psychotherapy

The race of the therapist can play a significant role in the manifestation of transference and counter-transference phenomena in inter-racial psychotherapy. References to the race of therapist may be the first sign of a developing transference relationship. Failure to appreciate the impact of racial difference can impede therapeutic progress while sensitive confrontation may be a valuable tool in the recognition and communication of emotionally charged feelings in therapy. Dream material is influenced by the race of the therapist who may be less easy to disguise in dreams, and the therapist may avoid certain dream interpretations because of unacknowledged discomfort about race. These observations have implications for the supervisory process in training and for the general issue of the influence of the person of the therapist on the process of psychotherapy.

The Pastoral Counselor's Counter-Transference as a Therapeutic Tool

Sees the pastor as particularly prone, by reason of training, background and an ingrained desire to help, to the development of countertransference feelings toward clients and parishioners. Discusses the theoretical meaning of countertransference, moves to a presentation of three case fragments, discussing them in relation to the phenomenon of countertransference. Shows how supervision helps turn the problem of countertransference into a therapeutic strategy.

Transference and countertransference in conjoint couple therapy: therapeutic and theoretical implications.

This paper reviews and illustrates the importance of transference and countertransference phenomena in the triangular situation of couple therapy, which always reawakens non-sexualized and sexualized feelings and reactions in both spouses and in the therapist. Variants of each type of reaction are presented and some possibilities for their management are discussed. The theoretical implications and difficulties presented by transference phenomena in couple therapy are discussed.

Understanding the development of a homogeneous, identity-impaired group through countertransference phenomena.

(1980). Understanding the Development of a Homogeneous, Identity-Impaired Group through Countertransference Phenomena. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy: Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 405-426.

The chaplain as therapist

In this presentation I have explored the dynamics that go on in therapy, showing how similar dynamics occur in pastoral relationships primarily in terms of the transference and countertransference phenomena. I have also called attention to issues or areas of concern that arise in therapy, equating them with issues with which theology has historically dealt, i.e., the relation of the natural to the supernatural, the problem of authority, the place of values in life, and the importance of individual responsibility. Finally, I have noted the importance of the chaplain's utilizing of psychodynamics in his ministry and specifically those areas where he should become informed and skilled, i.e., in the area of personality development as a way of understanding himself and in the factors that promote change and growth in another person. I have briefly noted the value of psychodynamics at the time of grief or loss.I hope that the focus upon the theme "the chaplain as therapist" will stimulate us to look at our ministry again. For those to whom this subject is new, may there be an interest in exploring it as an enriching dimension of ministry. For those who are already familiar with the impact that psychotherapy can have upon their ministry, may there be further experimentation at greater depth and broader latitude of some of the areas suggested in this treatment of the topic.

Clinical observations of a pregnant therapist

Maureen M. Underwood, MSW, is Director of Social Work, Center for Forensic Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Edwin D. Underwood, MSW, is Director of the Division of Special Rehabilitation, Ypsilanti State Hospital, Ypsilanti, Michigan. A version of this article was presented at the annual meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association. Wash ington. D.C.. March 1975. There is general consensus that any substantiation for the case analysis in untoward disruption of a consistent the literature, she suggests that it is and stable therapeutic environment is regrettable that no greater attention undesirable.1 Occasions do arise, howhas been given in the teaching of ever, in which uncontrollable physical psychoanalysis to the subject of preg changes are introduced into that envinancy envy. 3 This same regret can ronment. In psychotherapy, one such be expressed regarding the training of occasion that involves the therapist's social workers as therapists, sexuality and also plays a therapeutiPaluszny and Poznanski noted in cally unique and focal role is preg1971 the following reactions by both nancy of the female therapist. Such children and adults to the pregnancy pregnancies during the course of an of their therapist: (1) attempts to intervention have a decided effect on solve unresolved childhood conflicts, treatment regardless of predetermined (2) defensive reactions to the handling therapeutic goals, contracts, or modalof new materials, and (3) adaptive ities. integration of new materials into the For the patient, a therapist's pregtherapeutic relationship.4 (These same nancy not only disrupts the therapeutic phenomena arose during the terms of environment, but is the objective manitreatment of the patients whose reac festation of explicit sexuality and of tions are described later in this arti another life dimension of the therapist, cle. ) Paluszny and Poznanski also If recognized by the therapist as a detailed their own countertransference phenomenon that intrudes on the reactions and their growing preoccu worker-client relationship, the pregpation with narcissistic concerns rather nancy can be a useful therapeutic tool than with therapeutic concepts.8 for facilitating the patient's positive Preoccupation with narcissistic con confrontation of previously undealtcerns is fairly common among preg with feelings. nant therapists, and understandably An increasing number of social so. However, because such concerns workers are establishing themselves as can seriously delimit the therapist's or legitimate psychotherapists in both the social worker's effectiveness as a public and private sectors, and more change agent, such concerns must be women are choosing to continue workhandled quickly outside the boundaries ing while pregnant. Because of these of the therapeutic relationship that is developments, the pregnancy of the being affected. The importance of the therapist during the course of psychoneed for continued awareness of these therapeutic intervention has become a narcissistic feelings during pregnancy timely issue. In this article, the author by both the therapist and her super summarizes overall clinical observavisor is focused on by Baum and Her tions of some of the aspects of the ring in a discussion of the experiences subject and posits a developmental of physicians who became pregnant schema coordinating stages of pregduring psychiatric residency.6 nancy with the corresponding emerThe therapeutic issue of counter gence of psychodynamically significant transference, which was dealt with responses of the patient. somewhat by Paluszny and Poznanski, As women assume a fuller share of is further explored by Schwartz in responsibility for protracted psychoterms specifically related to social case therapeutic intervention, a greater work situations.7 She reiterates the awareness of the implications of their concerns expressed by other authors pregnancy during treatment will be that the therapist needs to be con shown. However, observations continually aware of her physical condi cerning these implications have already tion and its impact on the patient and appeared. In 1966, van Leeuwen repoints out the need to compile an ported on a case in which a male paempirical body of knowledge on the tient expressed his critical feelings of interaction of the therapist's pregnancy feminine identification through transand treatment to assist female thera ference with his pregnant analyst.2 pists in dealing with these difficult Although van Leeuwen found some issues.

Transference and counter-transference in counselling

Abstract Transference and counter-transference, along with the art of interpretation and the meeting of resistances, are fundamental concepts within psycho-analysis. The former refers to feelings directed by the patient to the analyst which do not belong to him; and the latter to feelings aroused in the analyst by the patient. Both are used therapeutically in psychoanalysis, but are they relevant in counselling? As an example of a school of counselling which does not use these concepts in any fundamental way, the position of Rogers is discussed along with that of Truax and Carkhuff, and various criticisms are made. Counselling which uses transference and counter-transference is then discussed – particularly work emanating from the Tavistock Clinic with Bowlby, Balint and Malan as its main advocates – and difficulties in this approach are noted. A claim is made for categorisation in therapeutic work as it can be useful in enriching rather than diminishing a relationship. Counsellors need to be trained experientially to understand transference and counter-transference phenomena, and suggestions are made as to how this may be done.

Psychotherapy with elderly patients.

The elderly in our society receive very little intermediate or ambulatory psychiatric care; however, with some modifications in technique, psychiatric care for the elderly can be effective. The special psychologic needs of the elderly require greater activity on the part of the therapist, symbolic giving within the therapeutic relationship, limited goals in therapy, increased awareness of transference and countertransference phenomena, and empathic understanding of elderly patients.

Problems in teaching and learning about childhood psychosis.

Difficulties in teaching and learning about childhood psychosis are related not only to emotional factors, such as various countertransference phenomena and exposure to the child's primitive and chaotic material, but also to conceptual factors, that is, unresolved contradictions in the usage of the concept of psychosis in work with children. The conceptual problems can be viewed as arising from the fact that the concept “psychosis” grew out of adult psychiatry and only belatedly has been applied to children. This transposition has eventuated in two basic sources of confusion: (a) the carry-over, unnoticed, of certain ambiguities already present in the term “psychosis” as applied to adults; and (b) the failure to make adequate allowance for the new and different context in which the term is applied in work with children. The various conceptual problems resulting from these two sources of confusion are made explicit and are discussed, with the aim of making such problems more manageable by the student. Emotional factors, as they impede the attainment of conceptual clarity, are also discussed.

Hysteria: In search of the animus

The purpose of this paper has been to demonstrate that the single out-standing common feature of hysteria is the observer's reacting as if he were responding to an unconscious sexual communication. The high incidence among women is then understandable in sociocultural terms: the term is employed by predominantly male institutions. The countertransference phenomenon has long been known to psychoanalysts, although the term “hysteria” has not been explicitly defined in this way. What I have attempted to show is the ubiquitousness of the countertransference phenomenon. It can be demonstrated in historical descriptions of the syndrome, as well as in present day studies that stress objectivity and attempt to minimize observer bias.

The blotting paper syndrome; a counter-transference phenomenon.

The blotting paper syndrome; a counter-transference phenomenon.

Countertransference and identity phenomena manifested in the analysis of a case of "phallus girl" identity.

Countertransference and identity phenomena manifested in the analysis of a case of "phallus girl" identity.