Quote:
Originally Posted by Xynesthesia
I am not sure what kind of input the OP asked for, but transference is a phenomenon that is present everywhere in life and is often a major drive in how we form relationships. The phenomenon was not created in therapy or by therapists, the profession just gave it a name and sometimes uses it to understand personal motives.
My problem with it is that it is often interpreted in a very superficial and stereotypical way by therapists who use the concept. For example, that it always comes from our relationships with caregivers, and what the client experiences with the therapist is a reflection of some feelings relative to parenting, needs unmet by caregivers etc. I think that such interpretations are often gross generalizations and can mislead a client seriously, also make them stuck in therapy "to work through it".
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I've definitely experienced that too and it was very upsetting. And come to think of it--the concept can also be used to absolve a therapist of any and all responsibility.
Example:
If someone has an abusive/incompetent therapist, the therapist can treat you crappy, which of course brings up bad feelings. However, the feelings related to childhood experiences are analyzed and all the feelings are attributed to transference rather than including the nontransference feelings that come from the therapist's words or behavior.
Behaviors that are abusive or hurtful outside of therapists and therapists elicit transference and nontransference feelings just the same; it's just not labeled or distinguished, but they are just the same.