ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the subject of countertransference starting from C. G. Jung's conception of analytic practice as a dialectical process between two involved persons. Countertransference theory has been developed by classical psychoanalysis. To classical psychoanalysts, it is all related to the notion that transference and countertransference originate in the unconsciouses of separate persons with firm boundaries, that is, not as open systems interacting with each other. The concept of the syntonic countertransference was derived from Jung's observation that an analyst can introject his patient's psychopathology and the idea that it is has therapeutic potential. A countertransference illusion may have one useful characteristic: it demonstrates the fallibility of the analyst. A criticism of technique centres around the tendency for it to become divorced from an analyst's affects, especially his love and hate for his patient. If an analyst believes that being loving, tolerant, kind, understanding and long-suffering is enough for the relationship, he is mistaken.
