ABSTRACT
Traditionally transference describes a process where the client projects a quality, trait or whole person from their past onto the therapist, ‘reality’ is then seen as being distorted by the client. If the therapist identifies with this projected material and responds from this identification, this is described as their counter-transference. The greater clinical relevance in contemporary gestalt therapy is Jacobs’ notion of enduring relational themes. Such themes will be multi-directional in that both client and therapist bring their ways of being to the relationship, added to which the therapy space itself will influence the meeting with a set of influencing factors that combine to create a perceived reality in the present moment for therapist and client. In this chapter, the author offers a simple example of an initial or emerging relational theme from his practice.
