Transference and Counter-transference
One of the hardest things about being a Counsellor is finding a balance between connection and guidance. The quality of the therapeutic alliance is everything when it comes to creating a relationship that encourages the client to feel safe and to trust the therapeutic process. Whether this occurs during a one off Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) session or over multiple sessions, it is vital that the client feels that they can divulge personal and sensitive information securely, and that the process supports them to clarify their issues so they can start moving towards constructive transformation.
Barriers to the client/Counsellor alliance can emerge at any time and this is a healthy and natural consequence of any kind of therapy. These barriers are opportunities that present proverbial forks in the road, needing examination, analysis and decision-making to choose a direction. Transference and Counter-transference are such common barriers.
Transference occurs when a client begins to project their interaction with others onto the therapist. For example, if the client is discussing conflict they are experiencing in the workplace, they may begin to interact with the Counsellor as though they are the difficult employer or co-worker. During a Counselling session, the client is shedding light on their own narrative and lived experience and in doing so are practicing communication, connection and reciprocity with themselves, the people they are in relationship with and their subjective context, through their interaction with the Counsellor.
Counter-transference is when the same thing happens, but the roles are reversed. The Counsellor observes patterns of behaviour, circumstance and development in the client that may mirror the habits and proclivities of themselves, other clients, or people in the Counsellor’s own life. Particularly when a Counsellor has extensive experience, both professional and lived, human behaviour and relationships become familiar. Synchronicity can often occur whereby similarities between the therapeutic relationship and the Counsellor’s own lived experience can emerge.
Both Transference and Counter-transference can impede the progress of a therapeutic process. When there is no awareness of bias, assumption, value judgement and projection, it is difficult to arrive at authenticity or some level of objective reality. The process can become clouded and misguided. It can get very stuck.
On the other hand, and especially when an experienced Counsellor approaches their work critically through reflective practice, accountability, transparency and courage, an honest conversation about what both the client and the Counsellor can bring to the process can only enrich it.
Transference and Counter-transference can be difficult to navigate and require a strong therapeutic relationship that is based on honesty, openness, trust and safety. The success of a therapeutic process relies on a qualified and skilled professional that approaches Counselling with empathy, unconditional positive regard and accountability. Both the client and the Counsellor must be willing to address uncomfortable concepts and feelings, work through and resolve conflict, and be willing to actively listen to one another, even if there are differing worldviews and lived experiences. There is always a middle ground to be found. A place where each person awakens to their own needs, desires and choices.
If you have considered talking to someone about an unresolved issue or experience, take advantage of the FREE 30 minute introductory session and explore the booking options and price points I offer.
I look forward to meeting you.
