The effects of therapist experience and patient diagnosis on countertransference.

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of therapist experience and patient diagnosis on countertransference. A total of 336 therapists completed questionnaires that assessed attitudes regarding emotional reactions in treatment (Experience and Attitude Scale) and reactions to vignettes describing depressed, borderline, and schizophrenic patients (Vignette Rating Scale). Results indicated that, in comparison to experienced clinicians, students and interns!ABDs are more likely to regret saying things to patients, and feel that their emotions are too strong, too frequent, and need to be defended against. Patient diagnosis was found to be significantly related to therapist ratings on 19 of the 20 items on the VRS, with borderline patients evoking the greatest degree of anger and irritation and the least degree of liking, empathy, and nurturance. While there are numerous definitions of countertransference (CT), virtually all emphasize the feelings or conflicts aroused in therapists as they work with patients. Homqvist and Armelius (1996) have suggested that CT has three distinct Based on a paper presented at the Annual Convention, APA, New Yoik, August, 1995.

Countertransference in the initial visit of women victims of sexual violence

“…Such findings do not replicate the results of some other studies, such as those obtained by Mclntyre and Brody, revealing the influence of patients' diagnoses in the emotional reactions of therapists. 8,9 However, our findings are consistent with those from Holmqvist, showing no relationship between the patients' diagnostic characteristics and the countertransference feelings triggered. 32 It is important to emphasize that there are methodological differences between these studies and ours.…”

“…First, the studies by Mclntyre, Brody, and Holmqvist included patients with different diagnosis or symptoms, and used different methods to evaluate them. 8,9,32 Second, Brody used clinical vignettes and not in person interviews. 9 Third, Brody and Mclntyre included therapists with diverse periods of experience, analyzing this variable as a predictor of countertransference.…”

“…8,9,32 Second, Brody used clinical vignettes and not in person interviews. 9 Third, Brody and Mclntyre included therapists with diverse periods of experience, analyzing this variable as a predictor of countertransference. 8,9 As previously described, we aimed to hold constant variables that might be potential confounders and included a relatively homogeneous group of patients (only women, victims of sexual abuse, referred to a single center) and therapists (same period of professional experience, only one interview with the patient).…”

“…6,7 Likewise, after Winnicot, 4 specific characteristics of the patients, as their different psychopathologies, were considered as potential triggers of countertransference responses with constant patterns. 8,9 Studies by Rossberg et al and Betan et al depict recent research addressing the relationship between countertransference patterns and personality disorders. 10,11 The first study 10 has shown that there are differences in therapists' countertransference reactions towards patients with different personality disorders, as well as the relationship between countertransference feelings and the direction of treatments.…”

“…11 The occurrence of sexual abuse or violence during childhood may be associated with the development of specific psychopathology, especially mood and personality disorders, which might also be related to specific countertransference responses. 8,9,[15][16][17] One of the possible mediators in the appearance of such disorders is the use of more immature defense mechanisms by the victims, a phenomenon commonly associated with this trauma. 18,19 Prevalence studies reveal that lifetime sexual abuse in women ranges between 15% and 25%.…”