Week 2 Discussion 1: Personal Triggers
Reply to at least two of your classmates. In your reply posts, you should compare and contrast your own viewpoints to your peer’s post
Your response should include evidence-based research to support your statements using proper citations and APA format.
Please refer to the Grading Rubric for details on how this activity will be graded.
The described expectations meet the passing level of 80%. Students are directed to review the Discussion Grading Rubric for criteria which exceed expectations
Re: Week 2 Discussion 1: Personal Triggers
by Pedro Rosas Santiago
Discussion: Personal Triggers
The terms transference and countertransference were coined by Sigmund Freud and are commonly used in therapeutic relationships. Transference refers to a situation where a person redirects their feelings and emotions to another person, mainly unconsciously. For instance, in therapy, the client may apply the client’s expectations and feelings and interact with the therapist as if they were the other person.
On the other hand, countertransference refers to when the therapist shifts emotions, feelings, and expectations to their client. Countertransference is mainly a counter-reaction to transference (Dahl et al., 2017). For instance, the client may remind the therapist of unresolved trauma in their life.
In a therapeutic relationship, the therapist is expected to maintain professional standards, their emotions notwithstanding. However, therapists are human and have emotions, feelings, and unresolved issues in their lives (Nissen-Lie et al., 2020). Some issues that may trigger countertransference for me would be a client who has been involved in a car accident.
I was involved in a car accident once, and though I got through the trauma, a topic on car accidents can trigger a personal reaction. Another instance that can trigger a personal response is a young person who has self-esteem issues, mainly due to bodyweight issues.
I would tend to be more overly committed to seeing them embrace the beauty of their bodies; this is a course dear to me. Another instance of countertransference is where a teenager is defiant, and my parenting instincts triggered instead of operating professionally.
To practice professionally, a therapist should be aware of the topics that can trigger personal trigger and create professional boundaries with clients (Nissen-Lie et al., 2020). Since I am self-aware, I can realize the topics that have the potential for countertransference.
Whenever I am dealing with such a client, I would be keen to keep boundaries and professional standards. I would critically examine myself often to check if I am operating out of the professional framework. For instance, if I am offering more sessions than required or giving unnecessary advice and frequent follow-ups.
References
Dahl, H. J., Høglend, P., Ulberg, R., Amlo, S., Gabbard, G. O., Perry, J. C., & Christoph, P. C. (2017). Does Therapists’ Disengaged Feelings Influence the Effect of Transference Work? A Study on Countertransference. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 24(2), 462–474. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2015
Nissen-Lie, H. A., Dahl, H. J., & Høglend, P. A. (2020). Patient factors predict therapists’ emotional countertransference differently depending on whether therapists use transference work in psychodynamic therapy. Psychotherapy research : journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, 1–13. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2020.1762947
