[UglyDucky]

Is transference in therapy always unconscious to the client? I question this because transference should be recognized in clients who have worked or are working in a therapy environment themselves. Or am I missing something about transference...? Perhaps I'm confusing transference with projection (I read the discussion re: the difference between transference and projection here on PC from 2013).

Basically, I can't tell if I'm going through transference w/my T or if it's something else entirely.

[Miswimmy1]

That's an interesting question. I have no idea. But in my opinion...

The way I see it, transference is the feelings you have (either consciously or subconsciously as in affinity or aversion) to a person. That person either triggers a memory of someone else or is able to fill a position that you are missing (for me, it was a parental figure). Projection is the behavior that one exhibits as a result of that transference. Does that make sense?

Yes, transference starts off unconscious, but in therapy one but his to 'catch themselves'.

Projection is getting rid of bits of yourself.

[UglyDucky]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

That's an interesting question. I have no idea. But in my opinion...

The way I see it, transference is the feelings you have (either consciously or subconsciously as in affinity or aversion) to a person. That person either triggers a memory of someone else or is able to fill a position that you are missing (for me, it was a parental figure). Projection is the behavior that one exhibits as a result of that transference. Does that make sense?

Yes, your explanation makes sense; thank you. My suspicion that I'm experiencing transference seems true to me. You've also given clarity to projection. Thank you, for taking the time to explain your understanding.

[UglyDucky]

Originally Posted by _Mouse

Yes, transference starts off unconscious, but in therapy one but his to 'catch themselves'.

Projection is getting rid of bits of yourself.

Very helpful explanation, especially about projection. Because I work in a clinical setting, it seemed to me that I should be able to recognize transference, but everything I've studied says it's unconscious. My T didn't disagree with me when I told her I thought I was in the middle of transference...I didn't want to get into details, though. Shedding bits of oneself is a scary proposition. Thanks, so much!

Id never heard that transference was always unconscious. Seeing my T brings up a lot of difficult feelings for me, I know these relate to me mother and not to my T. It seems to be it's quite possible to be conscious of transference.

[UglyDucky]

Originally Posted by Brown Owl

Id never heard that transference was always unconscious. Seeing my T brings up a lot of difficult feelings for me, I know these relate to me mother and not to my T. It seems to be it's quite possible to be conscious of transference.

When I Google 'transference,' the definitions I find are along the lines of “the redirection of feelings and desires and especially of those unconsciously retained from childhood toward a new object.”(Psychology Today). I may be too focused on definitions and not necessarily real life - I see things in black and white, which my T tells me is one sign that one might be depressed (duh). I'm glad to hear from people that what's globally stated may not be the global truth. Thanks, so much, for sharing your experience...I don't feel so much like I'm out of touch with my training in college.

[nutters]

Does transference necessarily have to be because of something from childhood? Although it is for some I find it difficult to say that this can always be the case. What if you just happen to find things you really like about your T? It doesn't seem it has to do with something in childhood? I've admitted to having ET but I don't put any further thought into and just see it for what it is.

The reason I ask this is because therapists seem to try to connect it to childhood which I don't think there has to always be some connection there.

[UglyDucky]

Originally Posted by nutters

Does transference necessarily have to be because of something from childhood? Although it is for some I find it difficult to say that this can always be the case. What if you just happen to find things you really like about your T? It doesn't seem it has to do with something in childhood? I've admitted to having ET but I don't put any further thought into and just see it for what it is.

The reason I ask this is because therapists seem to try to connect it to childhood which I don't think there has to always be some connection there.

I agree with you that the feelings one has for their therapist - or another person - don't always have to come from childhood. My unprofessional opinion is that the therapy environment lends itself, perhaps too readily, to digging into the past. If you like or dislike a person just because of interactions you've recently had with them, those feelings wouldn't be transference, necessarily. I don't know how many of our interactions with people are considered based on events from our life, though, so I may just be rambling, here. Maybe a therapist-in-training on the forum could weigh in...?

[wotchermuggle]

Transference is likely initially unconscious until it's uncovered, but you don't have to stay in this lack of awareness permanently, obviously.

Chances are that you overreact to a situation and then later think "Why did I act like X" and then you consider the reasons behind it and the transference becomes known. I think it would be difficult for anyone to know why they are acting in the moment unless you already know why you potentially act/react a certain way.