P-1164 - Transference and countertransference in cognitive behavioral therapy

Abstract

Both patients and psychotherapists can experience strong emotional reactions towards each other in what are termed transference and countertransference within therapy. In the first part of this review, we discuss transference issues. Although not usually part of the obvious language of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), examination of the cognitions related to the therapist, is an integral part of CBT, especially in working with difficult patients.MethodsPUBMED data base was searched for articles using the key words “therapeutic relations”, “transference”, “countertransference”, “cognitive behavioral therapy”, “cognitive therapy”, “schema therapy”, “dialectical behavioral therapy”.ResultsTransference. The therapist should pay attention to negative or positive reactions towards him/her but should not deliberately provoke or ignore them. He/she should be vigilant for signs of strong negative emotions, such as a disappointment, anger, and frustration experienced in the therapeutic relationship by the patient. Similarly he/she should be alert to exaggerated positive emotions such as love, excessive idealization, praise or attempts to divert the attention of therapy onto the therapist. These reactions open space for understanding the patient's past and actual relations outside the therapy. Countertransference. The therapist should be aware of countertransference schemas as they apply to him/her. He/she should monitor his/her own feelings that indicate countertransference. Further, the assistance of and discussion with supervisors and colleagues is useful in regard to countertransference even in experienced therapists.ConclusionsBoth the literature and our experience underscore the importance of careful examination of transference and counter-transference in CBT.SupportedBy IGA MZ CR NT 11047-4/2010.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for lifestyle changes in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In the second study with an ineffective intervention 16 , the intervention was delivered by nurses who had only completed two days of CBT training, which may have contributed to the limited results of the intervention. Studies have shown that both the therapeutic alliance and therapist competence are related to therapy outcomes 24 , 25 .…”

“…There was a significant reduction in HbA1c in two of the three studies 20 , 23 , and no reduction in HbA1c in the third study 16 . As mentioned earlier, the intervention in this study was delivered by nurses who had only completed two days of CBT training, and a lack of therapist competence may contribute to ineffective interventions 24 , 25 .…”