Therapist attitudes and countertransference as predictors of professional quality of life and burnout among psychotherapists

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the role of attitudes towards psychotherapy and countertransference dimensions as predictors of professional quality of life and burnout among psychotherapists in Iran. Participants were 259 psychotherapists who worked in mental health centres in Tehran (Iran), and they completed the Professional Quality of Life questionnaire, the Therapist Response Questionnaire and the Therapist Attitudes Scale. Professional quality of life was associated with countertransference dimensions and attitude towards psychotherapy. This study concludes that psychotherapists can benefit from working on their specific countertransference issues and re‐evaluating their basic attitudes towards psychotherapy to achieve the highest levels of professional satisfaction. Culture may play a role in a specific therapist's attitude and difficulties in addressing certain aspects of countertransference.