Countertransference Reactions in Therapeutic Work with Incestuous Sexual Abusers

Abstract

The study was a qualitative investigation aimed at therapists' responses to working with a population of incestuous sexual abusers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine therapists who were recruited from psychotherapy, psychology, and forensic psychology services in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. The predominant therapeutic model was psychodynamic; however, cognitive-behavioural and integrative approaches were practiced by some therapists. The data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (Smith, 1996). Results suggested that the therapists experienced a considerable amount of negative and difficult feelings and that they tended to experience feeling controlled and deceived, which seemed to influence their ability to create and maintain the therapeutic relationship. It was suggested that the dynamics of incestuous sexual abuse played a part in these difficulties. The results are discussed with reference to the clinical therapeutic literature.

On the Lived Experience of Sex Offenders’ Therapists: Their Perceptions of Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Consequences and Patterns of Coping

“…Zeidner and Ben-Zur (1994) argued that the most preferred way of coping is the way that includes the widest coping responses: emotionoriented as well as problem-oriented coping strategies. We find support for these findings regarding distancing and emotional disengagement in the study of Friedrich and Leiper (2006). The motive for therapists' turning to friends for help is the need to immediately venting their feelings, more than a need to address professional, value-focused, and even moral dilemmas.…”

“…These can manifest in different forms: high degrees of anxiety causing therapists to avoid discussing disturbing contents that come up in therapeutic encounter; hyper vigilance regarding their own behavior and the behavior of others, especially toward children; and intrusive thoughts regarding details of sexual offenses (Dean & Barnett, 2011;Steed & Bicknell, 2001). Additional difficulties, indicated by the findings of Friedrich and Leiper (2006) and consistent with those of Steed and Bicknell (2001), refer to processes of transference and counter-transference and a feeling of guilt therapists experience over their own negative reactions to clients during therapy. Additional difficulties, indicated by the findings of Friedrich and Leiper (2006) and consistent with those of Steed and Bicknell (2001), refer to processes of transference and counter-transference and a feeling of guilt therapists experience over their own negative reactions to clients during therapy.…”

“…On the intrapersonal level, therapists who treat sex offenders experience many reactions that might manifest directly, such as fear or anger from knowing the details of sexual abuse, or indirectly, such as mounting emotional distress or a sense of ongoing emotional numbness (Friedrich & Leiper, 2006;Moulden & Firestone, 2010). The research literature has addressed the cost paid and emotional trauma experienced by therapists due to working with sex offenders.…”

“…Both therapist and client must inevitably respond and express emotions, rather than remaining neutral (Jaffe & Diamond, 2011). Their ongoing exposure to stories of abuse and assault through their encounters with perpetrators has severe consequences for the therapists' physical and mental health (Friedrich & Leiper, 2006). Some argue that they are one of the most difficult groups to work with, among other reasons because of the great variety of personality characteristics among different types of sex offenders (Shechory & Ben-David, 2005).…”

Psychological therapy in prisons: Professionals’ perceptions

“…Subsequently, this sense of threat could challenge the establishment of a secure therapeutic relationship (Aiyebusi, 2009;Dean, & Barnett, 2011;Farrenkopf, 1992;Friedrich & Leiper, 2006;Mason, Dulson, & King, 2009;Tite, 2013), which has…”