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Old Mar 03, 2012, 02:30 PM
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PreacherHeckler PreacherHeckler is offline
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Member Since: Oct 2010
Location: Close to the Adirondacks but not close enough
Posts: 578
Quote:
Originally Posted by lostmyway21 View Post
What is counter-transference? I think he told me he doesn't get mad at me because I ALWAYS assume he is mad at me. All day, everyday as a result of anything I say. I have never actually given him an actual reason to be mad at me. He has been frustrated, and told me he was frustrated. I don't think he means he is incapable of being mad because he is my therapist. But because he is my therapist he understands the things I say and does not get mad because my feelings do not accurately reflect the reality of the situation...and he understands that.
The broad and simple definition of countertransference is that it's the totality of feelings and reactions experienced by the T toward the patient, but some T's define it more narrowly as the feelings and reactions a T has toward a patient that originate in the T's own unconscious or unresolved issues.
I think your last sentence is basically what I meant when I wrote that the T understands our struggles, and he doesn't take it personally.
__________________
Conversation with my therapist:

Doc: "You know, for the past few weeks you've seemed very disconnected from your emotions when you're here."
Me: "I'm not disconnected from my emotions. I just don't feel anything when I'm here."
(Pause)
Me: "Doc, why are you banging your head against the arm of your chair?"
Doc: "Because I'm not close enough to a wall."

It's official. I can even make therapists crazy.
Thanks for this!
lostmyway21