Between client and therapist, transference and countertransference happen as a matter of course. Knowing how they arise in therapy and daily life helps clinicians stay attuned to clients and follow meaningful threads. The webinar explains both and illustrates how they show up in sessions, with emphasis on staying “on track” during these unconscious processes. It also considers how therapists can recognize and manage their own countertransference. Clinicians can then explore these meanings with clients, directly or indirectly, strengthening the therapeutic relationship and client growth.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Describe examples of transference and countertransference in therapy.
- Identify clinical practice situations which reflect transference and countertransference processes.
- Apply ethical and clinical recommendations for addressing and managing transference and countertransference processes.
Syllabus:
Introduction
Objective #1: Describe examples of transference and countertransference in therapy.
- Practice examples of transference and countertransference
- Defining transference
- Tony Soprano video clip
- Examples
- Defining countertransference
- Manifestation
- Common signs
- Practice examples
- Distinguishing therapist countertransference from client transference
Objective #2: Identify clinical practice situations which reflect transference and countertransference processes.
- Relevant ethical standards
- Case study: Jeremy
- Ethics risk management: use of self
- Video (partial): Addressing Countertransference in Supervision)
Objective #3: Apply ethical and clinical recommendations for addressing and managing transference and countertransference processes
- What can a therapist do about countertransference?
- Reality view approach: Frederic Reamer
- Feeling your own countertransference in the room
- Introspective questions
- Countertransference example induced by therapist’s own negative experience
- Using a CBT framework
- Clinical recommendations for transference
- Helpful questions to ask clients for transference mapping
- Types of transference
- Transference and countertransference with challenging clients
- Case studies
- Resource, Q&A
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Ethics asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Ethics continuing education training.
Instructor: Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW
Recording Date: March 1, 2025
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Ethics continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com