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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
Ths 5-page paper discusses the concept of countertransference and overidentification in a counselor or therapist. The paper discusses what the concept is, how it can manifest itself, and what some counselers are doing to try to counteract it. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Page Count:
5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_MTctanal.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
problem is, however, that counselors and psychiatrists are human, too - meaning they have also had to deal with their own problems and disorders in order to help others. In
most cases, this can be used to an advantage - after all, someone who has suffered a specific anxiety or disorder is more equipped to have empathy for a patient
suffering from the same disorder. But in some cases, countertransference, or overidentification can kick into the counseling process. In other words, the therapist or counselor identifies so strongly with the
patients problem, this can impact how the therapist deals with and treats the patient. The basic concept behind countertransference is that of a
counselors reaction to a client, a clients background or client material (Rosenberger and Hayes, 2002). This phenomenon refers to the counselors thoughts, feelings and even fantasies about the client (Hansen,
1997). What happens then is a client becomes so empathetic with the patient, he or she ends up identifying with the patient, to an extent. Such identification can be positive
- or if overdone, can create a negative impact on treatment. In fact, when the topic was first introduced into the theory of psychoanalysis, it was considered a negative problem
in terms of treatment, as it was considered a neurotic reaction that interfered with a counselors ability to be objective (Hansen, 1997).
Countertransference is acknowledged as being a fairly common occurrence in the field of mental health treatment (Hansen, 1997). Counseling is a relationship between two people, and counselors experience a wide
range emotions toward their clients (Hansen, 1997). Some times, these feelings are easy enough to control (Hansen, 1997). But there are times during which counselors treat severely disturbed individuals -
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