What is it about?
Countertransference, defined by the International Psychoanalytical Association’s Inter-Regional Encyclopedic Dictionary of Psychoanalysis as the “totality of feelings, attitudes, and thoughts” toward a patient, can be a valuable tool in any physician's toolbox. Understanding our countertransference increases our understanding of patients and advances their treatments, whether in consultation, medication management, or psychotherapy.
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Why is it important?
There are limits to the effectiveness of the somatic treatments we have to offer our patients. How we apply these treatments greatly affects patient receptiveness and responsiveness. Understanding our countertransferences allows us to recognize our patients' patterns of relating and address their assumptions about their treatments in ways which can maximize their adherence and response.
Perspectives
As physicians, we value our ability to observe signs and symptoms in patients in order to successfully diagnose and treat any number of disorders. What many don't consider is that observing ourselves can be equally useful. I hope that the theory and examples given in this paper prompt you to explore the positive impact using countertransference can have on treatments, even in the most "biological" settings.
Jean Vogel
Medical College of Wisconsin
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Use of Countertransference to Advance Therapeutic Efficacy, American Journal of Psychotherapy, July 2024, American Psychiatric Association,
DOI: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20230035.
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