What is Transference in Psychotherapy?

Transference generally refers to feelings and issues from the past that clients transfer or project onto the counselor in the current relationship. When clients interact with other persons, they are likely to respond in ways that repeat old patterns from their past. Clients bring the everyday responses and distortions of life into the relationship with the counselor, who, as a professional, can recognize these problems that are interfering with clients' daily functioning (Kahn, 1991). These transference reactions have specific implications for survivors of childhood abuse, who may perceive the counselor as threatening or abandoning in the same way as the perpetrator of the abuse. Conversely, clients may idealize the counselor, seeing him as the warm and loving parent they always wanted.

Examples of Transference

In an attempt to demystify transference, here are some very simple examples:

• You meet someone at a party who reminds you of a favorite aunt and you find yourself feeling warmly towards this new acquaintance.
• A client who has difficulty depending on others may find themselves feeling resentful, jealous, or angry towards their therapist without realizing there is a connection between these feelings and the therapist's upcoming vacation.
• A client who fears disapproval and rejection notices that they suddenly find themselves worried about judgment or criticism from their therapist when they start to talk about a certain topic or feel a particular feeling.
• A perpetually single client prone to distrusting people may begin to view the therapist with suspicion as their relationship deepens.
• A client who struggles with anger and hostility may find themselves similarly struggling with anger and hostility toward the therapist.

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64902/

http://cbtvspsychodynamic.com/transferenceexamples.html