Dictionary

countertransference en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /kaʊntətɹansˈfəːɹəns/ (UK)

Etymology

From counter- + transference, a calque of German Gegenübertragung.

Meanings

1. (countable, qualifier:psychotherapy, uncountable) The transference of a therapist's own unconscious feelings to their patient; unconscious or instinctive emotion felt towards the patient.
   • ‘She had a very unusual, difficult childhood. I guess, what with her history and all, she brings out these fatherly feelings of countertransference in me.’ 2005, Meg Wolitzer, The Position, Vintage, published 2012, page 94:
   • In my meeting with Dahlia, I found myself having a private countertransference thought which I certainly did not articulate to her. 2007, Brett Kahr, Sex and the Psyche, Penguin, published 2008, page 295:

Forms

Deriveds

countertransferential · countertransferent