ABSTRACT

Transference and countertransference are psychoanalytic concepts that have evolved significantly in the development of psychoanalysis. There are some transference and countertransference dynamics that seem to come to the fore in couple therapy and can lead to countertransference enactment on the part of the therapist. Although transference enters into all relationships, there are some relationships which seem to have a very fixed transference dimension of a narcissistic nature. Transference can usefully be conceptualised as the projection of a living inner world into the situations. This idea of a living inner world has been an important development in psychoanalysis and adds complexity to all relating, internal and external and the relation between the two. The partners bring separate aspects of each of their living inner worlds, their internal objects created through past and present influences and the kinds of unconscious phantasies that operate, and sometimes unconscious beliefs that grip them.