Managing Countertransference: Strategies and Tips for Clinicians

I'm excited to share my insights on managing countertransference. Over time, I've come to see countertransference as an opportunity for growth rather than just a challenge, transforming potential obstacles into pathways for deeper therapeutic connections. In my contribution to Psychotherapists IO, I bring this enthusiasm to the forefront, offering practical strategies for clinicians to harness self-awareness and enhance their practice.

The following is my piece:

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