In psychotherapy, which term describes a patient's feelings toward the therapist that originate from past relationships?

In psychotherapy, which term describes a patient's feelings toward the therapist that originate from past relationships?

• A. Countertransference
• B. Projection
• C. Transference
• D. Resistance

Answer: (C)

Transference is the process where feelings, expectations, and attitudes that originally arose in early relationships are unconsciously redirected to the therapist. The therapist becomes a stand-in for those past figures, so the patient replays old relationship dynamics in the therapy room. These reactions can be both positive and negative and often reveal unresolved patterns from the patient’s past that therapy can help address. This differs from countertransference, which is about the therapist’s own reactions to the patient; projection, where the patient attributes their own unacceptable thoughts to others; and resistance, which is the patient’s avoidance or blocking of therapeutic progress. Recognizing transference lets the therapist interpret these patterns and guide the patient toward healthier ways of relating outside therapy.

Transference is the process where feelings, expectations, and attitudes that originally arose in early relationships are unconsciously redirected to the therapist. The therapist becomes a stand-in for those past figures, so the patient replays old relationship dynamics in the therapy room. These reactions can be both positive and negative and often reveal unresolved patterns from the patient’s past that therapy can help address. This differs from countertransference, which is about the therapist’s own reactions to the patient; projection, where the patient attributes their own unacceptable thoughts to others; and resistance, which is the patient’s avoidance or blocking of therapeutic progress. Recognizing transference lets the therapist interpret these patterns and guide the patient toward healthier ways of relating outside therapy.