Page 50 - PartA

Counselling Skills

Examples of such situations could include a person’s understanding of their
own sexuality or insight into a relationship problem or perhaps a realisation about
their parentage.

The arrival of insight has to be managed carefully by the counsellor. Sometimes
insight can result in a great sense of relief. On the other hand, if arrived at too early,
it may produce pain and distress as it dawns on the person what has been
happening to them.

In order to avoid this, the skilled psychodynamic counsellor tries to enable the client
to approach insight one step at a time, as they develop the mental strength to cope
with the realisation about what is going to be revealed.

Transference and counter-transference

Transference and counter-transference are two important concepts in
psychodynamic theory.

Transference: occurs when the client unconsciously transfers emotions and attitudes
onto the counsellor that they associate with people from their past with whom they
had important relationships. For example, the client may start to regard the counsellor
in the same way that they regarded their parents, siblings, teachers or other authority
figures. The transference can be positive or hostile depending on the nature of
the relationship.

Counter-transference: occurs when the counsellor reacts to these emotions
and attitudes.

Unlike psychoanalysts, psychodynamic counsellors do not try to promote transference.
However, they should be aware that this may happen, and that the client looks upon
the counselling relationship with feelings that would be more appropriate if directed
towards someone else. In such situations, the skilled counsellor will acknowledge that
this is happening and help the client to discuss their feelings.

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