What Is Transference In Therapy?
Have you ever met a new person only to realize that you already have defined feelings toward them, such as anger, hostility, sadness, or love? Have you ever avoided or pursued a friendship or a relationship because a certain person reminded you of someone you knew in past relationships? This phenomenon has a name: transference. In this article, we are going to discuss the definition of transference, what happens when transference occurs in therapy, and how to deal with transference and countertransference.
Defining transference between a therapist and their client
In psychology, transference refers to the unconscious transfer or redirection of one's own feelings and desires from one person (the client) to another person (their therapist).
One instance of transference in psychology may be developing an unhealthy relationship with your therapist because their mannerisms remind you of your late father in childhood. While you may not be actively trying to make your therapist your new father figure, your subconscious may establish a connection (or transfer feelings) between the two and lead you to attribute the feelings you had toward your father to your therapist. This is the definition of transference in a nutshell. This can also occur if your therapist reminds you of significant others in your own history, and you may experience sexual attraction or thought transference based on emotions present in past relationships.
What is transference in therapy? Common signs of transference
Signs of transference include, but are not limited to, unexplained or unjustified strong emotional reactions to a therapist’s words or actions and daydreaming about the therapist in a non-therapy setting.
What is transference in therapy? Exploring positive and negative transference
A patient’s transference occurs in a therapeutic relationship when the client begins to transfer their feelings and associations over to their therapist. Transference was commonly discussed by Sigmund Freud, who noticed the phenomena occurring in his patients. One of the most common forms of transference involves a relationship in which the patient’s feelings are platonic, erotic, or negative feelings toward their therapist. However, there are other ways transference can occur in therapy.
Positive vs. negative transference
Transference can be defined as negative transference or positive transference. Negative transference is the projection of negative emotions and feelings onto the therapist, while positive transference is the projection of positive emotions and feelings. Some further examples of transference in psychology include familial transference, or the projection of a familial role (parent, sibling, etc.) onto the therapist and nonfamilial transference, or the projection of a romantic or idealized role onto the therapist.
Read on as we further explore and define transference.
Can a therapist transfer their feelings? Transference and countertransference
There is a term in psychology to define the opposite phenomenon when a therapist’s feelings are transferred to the client. This is called countertransference in therapy. Countertransference may occur because a therapist is triggered by a situation that their client is facing. In response to these triggering situations, the therapist may respond by disregarding the client’s feelings or by taking too much interest in the client's life.
Positive vs. negative countertransference
Much like transference, countertransference may occur in both positive and negative situations. In a case involving positive countertransference, a therapist who is triggered by a client may use their own experience to build a stronger relationship with the client and help them work through their challenges, using transference to benefit both people. In such a case, the therapist may be able to identify that they are being triggered—and that transference is occurring—and manage their personal feelings on their own.
In a situation involving negative countertransference, a therapist may respond to triggering events by not fully committing themselves to a patient or by attempting to blame them for whatever feelings they may be experiencing. Because the therapist may not be able to identify their own response to the client and the resulting transference, it may become difficult to help the client. This transference may affect the client's healing process.
The importance of finding a therapist you trust
It is important to note that there is a difference between being wary of transference and transference actually happening. Being aware of transference and the emotions associated with the process does not always mean you can prevent it from happening; sometimes, transference occurs subtly. A therapeutic relationship is built on professionalism and trust, and countertransference may affect that relationship. If this is the case, some people may choose to move on to a different therapist who can view their situation more objectively.
Navigating transference in the therapeutic relationship
If you are experiencing feelings toward your therapist that you don't understand (part of transference), here is what you might do:
1. Make your feelings known to your therapist
Your therapist is there to listen to your feelings and help you work through them. This includes any feelings that you have toward them. You don't need to feel ashamed about the way you are feeling. Transference can happen, and you can discuss it to move forward on your healing journey. You may find that your therapist has experience discussing transference, which is a common phenomenon in psychotherapy.
2. Give yourself space from the therapeutic relationship if necessary
There may be moments in the healing process when you feel the need to take a short break from your therapist and talk to someone else. If you are dealing with overwhelming feelings, this may be the best course of action that you can take, especially if you find yourself overwhelmed when thinking about your next therapy session or interaction. You might allow yourself to take some time off from your therapist if your feelings are preventing you from getting the help that you need.
3. Remind yourself that your feelings represent a deeper mental health issue
When transference happens, it can be easy to get lost in your feelings toward the therapist. Instead, you might try to remember that your feelings for your therapist represent something different, that they may come from some childhood or past relationship or experience, and that these feelings don’t define you. This may keep you from getting caught up in unnecessary emotional patterns in everyday life while you try to mend any underlying problems.
BetterHelp mental health therapy
There is an increasingly large body of research pointing to online counseling and psychoanalysis as an effective means of treating symptoms of mental health challenges. In a report published in the peer-reviewed journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, researchers examined the therapeutic alliance formed as a result of online counseling. A therapeutic alliance, or working alliance, may be considered a sort of transference-focused psychotherapy. It can illustrate the strength of the bond formed between a counselor and client. The study found that a significant working alliance can be created through an online platform to deliver therapy, even though the client and therapist are usually geographically separated.
Overcoming transference and countertransference with online therapy
As discussed above, online therapy platforms may help you cultivate a meaningful relationship with a therapist. With BetterHelp, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with a therapist via video, messaging, or voice call—all from the comfort of your home (or wherever you have an internet connection). The qualified mental health professionals at BetterHelp understand transference and can work with you to explore any of your concerns about this phenomenon. Read below for reviews from those who have spoken with a BetterHelp therapist.
Takeaway
What is the definition of transference in psychology?
Transference is a common phenomenon. It occurs when one’s unconscious emotions towards someone (typically someone formative, such as a parent) are projected onto someone else. The term ‘transference’ was coined by Sigmund Freud, a famous psychoanalyst. Since then, the concept of transference has become widely accepted in psychology.
Transference can happen in many situations in daily life. For example, you might act protective of a friend who reminds you of your younger sibling. In therapy, a client might be hostile towards their therapist if they say something that triggers a negative transference of emotions from their childhood.
If the therapist correctly identifies the transference, it can provide valuable insight into the client’s unresolved challenges.
What are examples of transference?
Here are a few examples of transference:
- A child gets irritated when their parent prompts them to complete their math homework because their math teacher yelled at them earlier
- An employee views their boss as an empathetic and caring person because they remind them of their parent
- A client may project their positive views of their mother onto their therapist, believing that they can do no wrong
Common types of transference that may show up in therapy include negative, positive, or sexualized transference.
What's the difference between transference and countertransference?
Transference is an unconscious projection or redirection of emotions related to one person onto another. Countertransference, in contrast, occurs with the therapist projects onto the client. For example, if a client shares a traumatic experience, a therapist with a similar traumatic experience may experience heightened empathy, vulnerability, or re-traumatization.
Both transference and countertransference can impact the therapeutic relationship if left unaddressed.
Is transference good or bad?
Transference isn’t necessarily good or bad, but when handled appropriately in therapy it can be a useful tool for gaining insight into unresolved issues.
In instances of positive transference, the therapeutic relationship may be strengthened and create space for vulnerable work. Negative transference can be temporarily damaging or triggering, but acknowledging it can highlight areas of unresolved feelings, and working through those feelings together can enhance the trust and safety of the therapeutic alliance.
What is the best definition of transference?
Transference is a psychological phenomenon in which someone unconsciously redirects or projects emotions related to someone important in their life onto someone else.
What is another word for transference?
There’s not an equivalent word for psychological transference, but similar words include “projection” and “displacement,” which are defined below:
- Transference: Transference is an unconscious phenomenon in which feelings about a formative person are projected or redirected toward someone else.
- Projection: A defense mechanism in which unwanted thoughts or feelings are displaced outwardly and attributed to someone else. For example, if you hate your stepparent, you might project those feelings onto them and assume they hate you.
- Displacement: The redirection of an impulse or emotion toward someone onto a substitute. For example, someone upset about getting fired from their job may go home and yell at their spouse.
How do you identify transference?
Signs that might indicate transference include:
- Unfair assumptions or biases
- Emotional responses that are out of proportion with the situation
- Unrealistic idealization of someone
- Emotional or behavioral responses that are difficult to explain
Transference is a common occurrence both inside and outside of the therapeutic relationship. In most cases, transference doesn’t impact daily life. But, if you’re experiencing strong negative or positive feelings towards someone that you don’t understand, or outbursts that aren’t in proportion to the situation, it could be beneficial to explore those feelings with a therapist.
What is an example of transference in therapy?
Transference in therapy may occur when the client projects or redirects adoration, love, connection, hostility, anger, or other emotions onto their therapist. A trained and experienced therapist can recognize these instances of transference, which can be monitored and explored further.
For example, if your therapist looks like your ex-husband who cheated on you, you might project a fear of rejection or mistrust onto your therapist. If the therapist recognizes this transference, they can work with you to process the infidelity and lingering hurt feelings from that relationship.
How do you explain transference to a client?
When explaining transference to a client, it can be helpful to provide a definition and clear examples of the phenomenon:
- Definition: Transference is an unconscious process in which feelings toward someone from one’s past (often a formative figure from childhood, such as a family member), are projected onto someone else.
- Example: If your boss reminds you of an adoring parent, you might project feelings of affection and closeness onto them. Or, if your neighbor looks like your ex who cheated on you, you might transfer feelings of resentment onto them.
After explaining what transference is and discussing some examples, some therapists might ask their clients to recount instances where they’ve projected feelings onto someone, and then reflect on how it might indicate unresolved feelings.
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