Discussion: Transference and Countertransference
Discussion: Transference and Countertransference
Children often bring out the nurturing impulse in adults; we may see something of our past selves in the child, or we may become triggered by an adverse event that they are experiencing. These feelings are natural, but they are also potential barriers to intervention.
Both transference and countertransference can be evident when working with any population but may come up more frequently with children. The projection or redirection of feelings about someone else onto the practitioner, otherwise known as transference, is a common response by children. Countertransference, a practitioner’s own emotional response to a child, is also common. Understanding transference and countertransference—and how to monitor and address these phenomena—is crucial to a healthy therapeutic alliance.
In this Discussion, you explore scenarios in which transference and countertransference might arise during child intervention.
To Prepare
- Review the Learning Resources on social work practice with children, interventions, and countertransference.
- Consider a scenario in which transference and countertransference could arise during an intervention with a child. As the social worker in the scenario, how would you address these phenomena?
By Day 3
Explain why transference and countertransference are so common when working with children. Then, describe a specific scenario in which transference and countertransference might arise while intervening with a child. How would you address both transference and countertransference in your work with the child client in the scenario? Explain your strategies.
Required Readings
Brandell, J. R. (Ed.). (2020). Theory & practice in clinical social work (3rd ed.). Cognella.
- Chapter 6, “Clinical Practice With Children” (pp. 103–122) (Review)
- Chapter 17, “Dynamic Approaches to Brief and Time-Limited Clinical Social Work” (pp. 389–409)
- Chapter 22, “Infant Mental Health” (pp. 521–544)
Answer preview to Discussion: Transference and Countertransference
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