A Study on Counter-transference Experience Derived from Parentification of Psychotherapists

• Main Authors: Yu-Ching Lai, 賴郁青
• Other Authors: Shu-chung Chen
• Format: Others
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/5hx749

碩士 === 國立東華大學 === 諮商與臨床心理學系 === 102 === This study aims to investigate the counter-transference experience derived from parentification of three psychotherapists. In-depth interviews were conducted based on semi-structured interview outline to collect the subjects’ countertransference experience. Narrative analysis was used to analyze the interview data, in order to understand how the subjects constructed and gave meaning to countertransference. This study found that the three subjects were reminded of their own parentification experience during treatments. Once counter-transference is triggered, psychotherapists would re-experience their past pain and would easily view patients as their own vulnerable and helpless mother. They would project their past feelings and thoughts about their mother onto patients, and interacted with patients using the approaches they were familiar with and used to in the past. As a result, psychotherapists could not perceive the real situation and need of patients. Once counter-transference is triggered, psychotherapists would use different approaches to respond to and handle patients. However, regardless of the approach, their awareness and reflection abilities would eventually be enhanced to enable them to better understand how their parentification experience affected treatment work, as well as to take care and solace themselves when their countertransference is triggered. Based on the research results, suggestions were proposed on counseling practice and future studies. Keywords: Countertransference, Parentification, Narrative analysis