Phobias The Psychoanalytic Theory of Transference Your Therapist Can Experience Transference, Too By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 29, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Daniel B. Block, MD Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD LinkedIn Twitter Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Universal Images Group/Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Transference Is Complex Positive Transference Negative Transference Sexualized Transference Counter-Transference Talk With Your Therapist In psychoanalytic theory, transference occurs when a client projects feelings about someone else, particularly someone encountered in childhood, onto her therapist. Frequently spoken about in reference to the therapeutic relationship, the classic example of sexual transference is falling in love with one’s therapist. However, you might also transfer feelings such as rage, anger, distrust, or dependence. There are three types of transference: Positive Negative Sexualized While transference is typically a term for the mental health field, it can manifest in your daily life when your brain tries to comprehend a current experience by examining the present through the past and, to your detriment, limiting the input of new information. Transference Is Multilayered and Complex Transference can sometimes be an obstacle to therapy, as the client may feel a temptation to cut off the relationship altogether, or may become sullen and withdrawn during sessions, which impedes progress. Working through transferred feelings is an important part of psychodynamic therapy. The nature of the transference can provide important clues to the client’s issues, and working through the situation can help to resolve deep-rooted conflicts in the client’s psyche. Positive Transference Transference can be a good thing. You experience positive transference when you apply enjoyable aspects of your past relationships to your relationship with your therapist. This can have a positive outcome because you see your therapist as caring, wise and concerned about you. Negative Transference Negative transference sounds bad but actually can enhance your therapeutic experience. Once realized, the therapist can use it as a topic of discussion and examine your emotional response. This type of transference is especially useful if your therapist helps you overcome an emotional response that is out of proportion to the reality of what transpired during the session. Sexualized Transference Are you feeling attracted to your therapist? You might be suffering from sexualized transference if your feelings for your therapist are: Intimate and sexualReverential or worshipRomantic and sensual Counter-Transference The therapist must always be aware of the possibility that their own internal conflicts could be transferred to the client as well. This process, known as counter-transference, can greatly muddy the therapeutic relationship. Some studies suggest 76% of female therapists and 95% of male therapists admit to having felt sexual feelings toward their clients at one time or another. Despite the negative connotation of counter-transference, some psychotherapists are finding ways of using it in therapeutic ways. Discussing Transference With Your Therapist Once your therapist recognizes that you're experiencing transference, they probably won't want to discuss it right away. However, it will be necessary to address it at some point. If the topic is avoided, it could lead to an impasse in therapy down the line and negatively impact your relationship with your therapist because you, the client, may: Become embarrassed, uncomfortable, and withdraw emotionallyFeel stressRegress, which can negate some of the positive progress you already achieved Common misspellings include: transferance, transferrence, transferrance Example Michelle became very angry with her therapist when he discussed the possibility of homework activities. Through the exploration of the anger with the therapist, Michelle discovered that she was experiencing transference of unresolved anger toward an authoritarian elementary school teacher. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 2 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Andersen SM, Przybylinski E. Experiments on transference in interpersonal relations: implications for treatment. Psychotherapy. 2012;49(3):370-83. doi:10.1037/a0029116 Dahl HSJ, Hoglend P, Ulberg R, et al. Does therapists' disengaged feelings influence the effect of transference work? A study on countertransference. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2017;24(2):462-474. doi:10.1002/cpp.2015 Additional Reading Ladson, et al. Psychiatry: Recognizing and Managing Erotic and Eroticized Transferences (2007). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921238/ Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.