In the field of counseling, countertransference can be a recipe for disaster in terms of success in a counseling relationship. However, by understanding one’s areas of concern in regards to countertransference, countertransference can not only be minimized, but also used for good (Prasko, et al., 2010). In my case, I could envision myself having countertransference issues with issues such as suicide, abortion, and cheating in relationships. There are multiple reasons why I could imagine myself having issues with these areas, but if the countertransference is used for good, it could benefit my counseling sessions involving these topics. Therefore, I must realize I have issues surrounding suicide, abortion, and cheating in order for me to use …show more content…
I have had two friends who both successfully committed suicide when I was in high school, so dealing with potential suicide could make me anxious and scared for someone else’s life. These two instances of suicide that I have dealt with makes me take action whenever I hear someone around me even joking about the topic of suicide. However, having previous encounters with suicide in my life could possibly benefit my clients. If I use my previous experience with suicide, taking time to assess the threat and then taking proper steps in preventing suicide in clients, this would be using countertransference to my clients’ benefit. I feel that suicide is an issue that should not be taken lightly, and should be dealt with in an authentic, patient, and caring manner. By having faced suicide, I feel much more equipped to working with the topic as I do not want anyone else to deal with the feelings I went …show more content…
I have been in a couple of relationships in which I loved my partner, only to find out that my girlfriend had been cheating on me. Even writing about the cheating relationships I have dealt with brings back bad memories. Although it is imperative that I, as a counselor, do not push my own experiences and beliefs on a client, I still would have a hard time not stating that I had dealt with this issue myself, or at least feel appalled at the cheating partner. I feel that I would have to take great care to use the countertransference to empathize with the victim in the relationship, and to help the cheating partner deal with possible regret that he or she may be experiencing. By helping victims of cheating talk out their feelings in an empathetic environment, the victim would feel more apt to begin the process of forgiveness (Kazemi & Javid, 2015). Even though working with a client in cheating relationships would be a tough area for me, as I would try to help someone realize that they do not need to be dealing with this in his or her life, I still can use the countertransference to my clients’ benefit if I choose empathy instead of
Wendel, Peter Counselors in Recovery find answers to ethical dilemmas. Counseling Today. May 1997: 28 pars Online: Available http://www.conseling.org/ctonline/archives/recovery.htm
Five Factors Theorized to be Important in Countertransference countertransference and the expert therapist, this study looks at how beginning therapists rate five factors theorized to be important in countertransference management: (I) anxiety management, (2) conceptualizing skills, (3) empathic ability, (4) self-insight and (5) self-integration. Using an adaptation of the Countertransference Factors Inventory (CFI) designed for the previously mentioned studies, 48 beginning therapists (34 women, 14 men) rated 50 statements as to their value in managing countertransference. Together, these statements make up subscales representing the five countertransference management factors. Beginners rated the factors similarly to experts, both rating self-insight and self-integration highest. In looking at the personal characteristics which might influence one's rating of the factors, males and females rated self-insight and self-integration highest.
Suicide is the eleventh most common cause of death in the United States. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a person takes their own life once every fourteen minutes in the United States (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention [AFSP], 2011). Still, with suicide rates so high, suicide is a taboo topic in our society. Though suicide is intended to end one person’s pain, it causes an immeasurable amount of pain and suffering to loved ones close to the deceased.
Countertransference first introduced by Freud, “as a therapist’s unconscious reaction to a patient’s transference” (Dass-Brailsford, pg. 293, 2007). This concept has since become known as a normal emotional reaction to a client. This reaction that comes from the therapist is a resolved or unresolved conflict within the therapist (Dass-Brailsford, 2007). This has nothing to do with the client but something the client said or did triggered the therapist. If this goes unnoticed, it can be detrimental to the client’s recovery. The therapist may begin to overidentify with the client and lose their sense of hope (Dass-Brailsford, 2007).
In a study released by Brown University, their psychology department shed some light on common myths and facts surrounded suicide. These m...
The current practices of the clinical and counselling psychological streams are not entirely dissimilar as both are concerned with the application of psychotherapy, education, research, and instruction (Mayne, Norcross, & Sayette, 2000; Norcross, 2000). Clinical psychology is primarily concerned with the assessment, treatment, and study of populations who experience severe mental illness (Bechtoldt, Campbell, Norcross, Wyckoff, & Pokrywa, 2000; Norcross, 2000) clinical psychologists mostly employ behavioral and psychoanalytic theoretical orientations when treating clients (Norcross, 2000). In contrast, counselling psychologists generally aim to support people who, while not typically suffering from severe mental illness, need assistance in overcoming the emotions associated with traumas such as loss of employment, marital dissatisfaction, loss of friend or family member, addiction (Geldard & Geldard, 2012; Gladding, 2013). Primarily they employ client-centered and humanistic methods of theoretical orientation (Geldard & Geldard, 2012; Gladding, 2013; Norcross, 2000).
Strean, H. S. (1999). RESOLVING SOME THERAPEUTIC IMPASSES BY DISCLOSING COUNTERTRANSFERENCE. Clinical Social Work Journal, 27(2), 123-140
Carl R. Rogers theorized that through providing a certain kind of relationship with the client, one in which empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence were present, the client would “discover within himself the capacity to the relationship for growth, and change and personal development” . As a counselor empathy is essential as it allows me to enter my clients internal frame of reference, while still retaining a problem-solving stance. Entering the client’s internal frame of reference means I must consider the emotions and thoughts of the client, it is similarly vital not to get lost in the internal frame of reference as this creates the distinction between sympathy and empathy. Unconditional positive regard, also called acceptance is essential as it plays a role in creating a helping relationship in which the client feels safe to express any negative emotions or thoughts, while being...
Lesser, H. (2010). Should it be legal to assist suicide?. Journal Of Evaluation In Clinical
One theme of the book that stands out is the counselor as a person and a professional. It is impossible to completely separate one’s personal and professional lives. Each person brings to the table certain characteristics of themselves and this could include such things as values, personality traits and experiences. A great point that Corey, Corey, and Callahan (2010) make is to seek personal therapy. Talking with colleagues or a therapist will keep counselors on their toes and allow them to work out any issues that may arise. This could also prevent counselors from getting into a bad situation. Another good point made in this book was counter transference. Therapists are going to have an opinion and some reactions are going to show through. It is not easy to hide one’s emotions, but a good therapist will keep the objective in sight and keep moving forward. After all, the help counselors are providing is for the client.
Corey, C. (1991). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (4th ed.). Pacific Grove, California, USA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. (Original work published 1977)
Unresolved family-of-origin issues can affect the current lives and relationships of individuals without their conscious awareness (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013, p. 182). One task of a mental health counselor is to help his or her client discover these hidden unresolved conflicts in the context of the client’s family history (p. 186). If the counselor has not gained a sufficient understanding of his or her own unresolved conflicts, he or she might be unable to deal effectively with moments of countertransference (p. 174). Clark (cited in Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2013) found that “emotional self-awareness and attunement with others” contributed to a counselor’s resilience, positive outlook, and ability to avoid professional burnout (p. 11). To achieve this goal of self-awareness, my journey to become a counselor includes the tasks of understanding and healing my own unresolved family-of-origin conflicts, so that I can be fully present with my clients, and able to deal effectively with countertransference when it comes up. This paper combines concepts from various family-of-origin theories to help me explore my emotionally distant relationship with my older sister, Patty.
As a therapist, self-monitoring is a positive behavior that should be practiced daily during therapeutic session and not focus on past situations. Therapeutic responsibility for a therapist is to become so self-aware of personal behaviors or issues that counter-transference is not an issue. Therapists have to make therapeutic space for clients to assist them to react as they needed to help with their emotional distress as well. Recognizing counter-transference is excessive self-disclosure on the part of the therapist or inappropriate interest in irrelevant details from the life of the person in treatment (Gedo, 2013). If the therapist feeling toward the client that is being treated behavior is not appropriate or the treatment process is not effective, than the therapist is not managing counter-transference (Gedo, 2013).
I would not force my client into talking if they aren't ready but discuss when their comfortable whenever they are ready in disclosing. Since I am aware of my background of suicidal and know what could be done to help those with suicidal tendencies I would do everything I can to help my client feel protected and safe. I would ask my client more about them and find out if their situation because I would not want them at risk of harm. Therefore, my awareness and reflection will not influence my work with a client that is suicidal. I will strive to assist helping the client to make sure they are not harming themselves, when did the suicidal thoughts begin, do they have a safety plan created, who they have in their support system, and what they can describe to me they like to do as their interests. All of this would be beneficial to me when assisting the client when finding out that they are suicidal since they are the one at risk of harm. I would try not put my influences of my past assist working with the client. Since I truly believe that each one person that comes in that seeks help deserves a chance turn their life around. Also, I wouldn't want them to feel that their personal experiences of religion and culture will intervene with our relationship when they disclose to me that they feel this
On occasion, we as beings are faced with difficult scenarios. Once I was faced with a situation in which an associate, whom I serve in the United States Army Reserve’s with, was working through a tough breakup with her significant other. Days after the initial breakup, she randomly confided in me that she was contemplating suicide. I instantly halted my current activity and called her. Through my suicide prevention training in the military, one of the main points of the presentation was to directly ask the individual were they contemplating killing themselves and if so, how. Upon calling her, these two questions were running rapid through my mind, but I had never encountered this type of situation so, originally I was afraid. I felt as if I were to ask her these questions, I would make her feel uncomfortable and shut down. However, I knew that if I did not ask these questions, I could not help her, so I