The transference-countertransference phenomenon: a requirement for training.

Dr. Morton F. Reiser's article, "Are psychiatric deucators 'Losing the Mind'?" included a description of experiences with residents who do not appear to understand the phenomenon of psychotherapy and, in particular, the issues of transference and counter-transference (1). His residents also seemed to be more interested in tinkering with drugs and providing support than in understanding, with curiosity, the motivation of patients and what goes on in the human mind. Transference here is meant to be strong feelings that a patient develops towards a therapist that are determined by the patient's past experiences. Countertransference is an unconscious reaction to the patient's transference. Counter-transference becomes conscious as it is worked upon in supervision and distinguished from other feelings the therapist has about the patient.