ABSTRACT
In this chapter I shall explore some aspects of transference as they occur in the context of pastoral counselling and, in particular, examine some implications for a person seeking counselling when they work with a counsellor who is explicitly associated with a religious tradition or a religious organisation. First, I will set out some current understandings about transference and countertransference. The literature in this area is very large indeed. As will be seen later, there are those in the psychoanalytic tradition who consider that almost the whole work of analysis consists of analysing the phenomenon of transference. Without going to what they would consider such an extreme position, there are other psychotherapists and counsellors who would agree that much of their work can be done by focusing on the various aspects of the relationship between the psychotherapist and her client or patient, or between the counsellee and counsellor.
