Hello, I am João Barros, psychoanalyst, and today we will talk about a very important theme in psychoanalysis: counterransference. Have you ever wondered how analysts deal with the emotions that arise during therapy sessions? This is exactly what we will explore here.
What is counterransference?
Contransference is a fundamental concept inpsychoanalysis, coined by Sigmund Freud. It refers to the analyst’s emotional reactions regarding the patient during the therapeutic process. It is as if the analyst “reflected” the patient’s emotions, creating a kind of emotional connection between the two.
Imagine that you are talking to a friend and realize that he is sad. You can start to feel sad too, even if you have no apparent reason for that. It is something like what happens in the counterransference.
Types of Contransference
There are two main types of counterransference: agreement and disagreement. The agreement occurs when the analyst shares the same emotions of the patient, while the disagreement happens when the analyst has an emotional reaction opposite to that of the patient.
For example, if a patient is very anxious, the analyst may start to feel anxious as well. Or, on the other hand, the analyst can feel calmer and calmer in response to the patient’s anxiety (disagreement).
Importance of Contransference in Therapy
Contransference is a valuable instrument for the analyst as it can provide important information about the patient’s emotions and needs. By recognizing and exploring their own emotional reactions, the analyst can gain a deeper understanding of what is happening in the patient’s mind.
In addition, counter -transference can help the analyst to establish a stronger connection with the patient, creating a trusted and empathy environment. This is especially important in therapy as it allows the patient to be heard and understood.
Challenges and limitations of the counterransference
However, counter -transference can also be a challenge for analysts. It is easy to get carried away by their own emotions and lose objectivity, which can affect the quality of therapy.
In addition, counter -transference can be influenced by factors such as the analyst’s personality, past experiences and their own unresolved conflicts. This means that analysts need to be aware of their own emotions and limitations to prevent them from interfering in the therapeutic process.
In short, counter -transference is a complex and multifaceted concept that plays an important role in psychoanalysis. By understanding and working with the analyst’s emotional reactions, we can create a more effective therapeutic environment and help patients achieve their goals.
I hope this article was useful for you to better understand the concept of counter -transference. If you have any questions or want to know more about psychoanalysis, feel free to contact me.
