A therapist discusses countertransference feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Helplessness in the Helpers. ? John Whitwell

I hope I don't make my therapist feel this way...but I wonder

[kaliope]

that would be sad

[stopdog]

I always find it interesting when those guys report it surprises them when clients do not agree with their interpretations. Dude - sometimes you people are just wrong.

T1 definitely feels that way sometimes. He has pretty much told me so. He has said he sits there thinking "how the f*** do I respond to this?" And he has also alluded to the fact he felt 'stuck' before the break. T2 certainly hasn't felt that way yet and has always responded well, but I think I am an easier client for him.

[Inner_Firefly]

Yikes, what a difficult thing to read. We should not have to worry about what our T feels. Are you going to ask your T about this? I hope you feel OK!

[Elisabetta346]

Originally Posted by mian síoraí

A therapist discusses countertransference feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.


I hope I don't make my therapist feel this way...but I wonder

I would not worry about that my dear ! It's about their feelings and dealing with clients who Are REALLY resistant to treatment/ coping sometimes their wrong or the client is not able at moments or want to work on getting better. Remember they are here to help you get insight, give you advice and guidance on how to change your life. It's up to you to do the work with them as a positive support for you to do so for as long as you need them. I'm positive you therapist does not view you like how this author viewed some of his patients! if your unsure tho , ask your therapist about it as well!



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I should have put a trigger warning on this, I apologize.

This came up with a google search when i looking for negative countertransference information. Thanks for the reassurance Elisabetta, i need that today .

I'm ok Inner Firefly you're a sweetie. This sometimes happens when i have insomnia, where is start to catastrophize....and i have insomnia all the time; with my mind unoccupied, i worry worry worry..

Echos-i am so sorry your therapist told you about his negative feelings. Are you still seeing him?

I agree with you Stopdog about the interpretations. I think they're wrong at least 25% of the time, mostly because of the lack of preceeding clarification when moving things along more quickly, but it normally doesn't bother me in my therapy.

It was written in 1972 (which is why some of it might have sounded derogatory ie 'borderline's', and the therapist who wrote it was discussing one of his first patients, i believe. I still think it was very interesting to read about a therapist sorting out his thought on his negative transference and also give him credit for writing about his shortcomings so openly.

What was interesting to me is how he kept mentioning object constancy (although didn't use the terminology). I lack object constancy and actually think it is part of the etiology of borderline traits or one of the primary symptoms. Many of the relational problems originate from that issue. It makes me think of how important this is, and how clients who lack object constancy might be more challenging in therapy. Which is why a skilled therapist is essential imo.

[Ford Puma]

I think myself a vast number off those who work in the field are well able to take care off themselves. A few get caught out but the same can be said about any job in the world.

[Restin]

Quote: "Not all people can or want to develop their empathic capacities as a major therapeutic tool, and they do not have to. The mental health field is broad enough for workers to make important contributions in many different areas. A student can determine the direction of his training through the choice of a specific graduate programme. However, it is more likely today than in the past that a person choosing a training programme to help him develop this empathic capacity may later find that he did not get what he signed up for."

This very issue, mentioned in the article, of how a therapist wants to treat the client is a major problem, as the client should have a flyer, bulletin, or something outlining the therapist's style, at the first session. If my main illness is an Attachment Disorder, I need to know how that therapist believes about dependency/transference. I went through hell with several classic Freudians who traumatized me worse, from intolerance about my dependency on them. Whereas, the modern Dynamic Relationship therapist is far better trained and humane to deal with dependency.

[Elisabetta346]

Originally Posted by mian síoraí

I should have put a trigger warning on this, I apologize.


This came up with a google search when i looking for negative countertransference information. Thanks for the reassurance Elisabetta, i need that today .


I'm ok Inner Firefly you're a sweetie. This sometimes happens when i have insomnia, where is start to catastrophize....and i have insomnia all the time; with my mind unoccupied, i worry worry worry..


Echos-i am so sorry your therapist told you about his negative feelings. Are you still seeing him?


I agree with you Stopdog about the interpretations. I think they're wrong at least 25% of the time, mostly because of the lack of preceeding clarification when moving things along more quickly, but it normally doesn't bother me in my therapy.


It was written in 1972 (which is why some of it might have sounded derogatory ie 'borderline's', and the therapist who wrote it was discussing one of his first patients, i believe. I still think it was very interesting to read about a therapist sorting out his thought on his negative transference and also give him credit for writing about his shortcomings so openly.


What was interesting to me is how he kept mentioning object constancy (although didn't use the terminology). I lack object constancy and actually think it is part of the etiology of borderline traits or one of the primary symptoms. Many of the relational problems originate from that issue. It makes me think of how important this is, and how clients who lack object constancy might be more challenging in therapy. Which is why a skilled therapist is essential imo.

Number one rule Mian is "never google stuff" you'll find many articles that may trigger you. I have, it's better to ask then assume! Lol you so welcome love! Enjoy today and have a good week

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[Petra5ed]

"Now, however, we have provided new ways out when things get tough in individual work, e.g. a treatment plan that quickly turns to drugs or couple, group or family work. Here I am referring to the defensive use of such treatment choices, not an appropriate choice of one or more of these modalities based on a careful empathic assessment of patient and family. To illustrate this further, I recall a psychiatric resident who could usually be counted on to see a couple in therapy when an individual patient had been referred to him. When his work was reviewed, it became clear that each time he reached a point with his patient in which he was moved by the patient’s despair, his response was, ‘Why don’t you bring your husband (or wife) in for the next session?”

I wonder if this is what happened to me...