ABSTRACT
All therapists experience and enact countertransference in their work, and a key to successful treatment is how well therapists are able to understand and manage their countertransference reactions. In Chapter 5, an integrative definition of countertransference is provided, and the Countertransference Interaction Hypothesis is furthered as a valuable way to conceive of and understand countertransference. Differentiations are offered between countertransference and non-countertransference reactions, chronic and acute countertransference, countertransference as inner experience versus outer behavior, and countertransference as too much, too little, too positive, and too negative. Countertransference can be for better or worse, and the most important determinant of whether it helps or hinders treatment is how well the therapist is able to manage countertransference. In Chapter 4, it is clarified that the two overriding elements of such management are the therapist’s (1) understanding of self and the patient and (2) self-integration and regulation during the treatment hour. These factors are key in all theoretical orientations, and are discussed in depth. Still, different orientations seem to have particular vulnerabilities surrounding countertransference and its management. These are pointed to in Chapter 5.
