ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the psychoanalyst’s “selfobject” needs—emotional needs that, when unmet, may disrupt the therapist’s effectiveness in treatment. Countertransference, where the therapist’s feelings toward the patient impact the therapeutic process, is central to this exploration. Traditionally viewed as either a therapeutic hindrance or asset, countertransference is here reframed to consider how analysts’ unmet selfobject needs can interfere with their empathy and responsiveness. The author argues that these needs are inherently relational, and acknowledging them may enhance, rather than hinder, therapy. The author also includes clinical examples, illustrating how the frustration of selfobject needs can lead to counterproductive reactions such as shame or anger, affecting both the analyst’s and patient’s experiences. The author advocates for therapists’ self-awareness and suggests that such acknowledgment can mitigate negative impacts, fostering a balanced therapeutic relationship.
