Skip to main content
Headway

Running a practice

What is countertransference in therapy?

Understanding the signs of countertransference, and how to address it, is an important way to maintain an effective and ethical therapy practice.

December 9, 2024 • Updated on August 29, 2025

5 min read

As a therapist, it’s your job to support clients on their mental health journey. If something gets in the way of your ability to do so, then you have a responsibility to be honest with yourself and your client about your limitations. Countertransference is one thing that can make it difficult to effectively help your clients, and may even lead you to refer your client to another therapist so they get the type of support they need.

Understanding the signs of countertransference, and how to address it, is an important way to maintain an effective and ethical therapy practice. Below, learn more about how to recognize countertransference and what to do about it.

Practice in-network with confidence

Simplify insurance and save time on your entire workflow — from compliance and billing to credentialing and admin.

Talk to a practice consultant

What is countertransference?

You’ve probably heard of transference, which is a therapeutic phenomenon in which a client directs their emotions about another person onto their therapist. For example, a teenage client who doesn’t have a father figure may see their male therapist as a fatherly figure. With transference, a client may see a trait in the therapist that helps them heal.

Countertransference happens when a therapist notices their own feelings are informing how they engage with a client, “transferring” their own feelings to the person receiving therapy. While it’s normal to experience emotions in a therapy session, countertransference involves feelings that make it hard to properly interact with and treat someone. Countertransference, unlike transference, has potential to be harmful to the therapeutic relationship because it could keep you from objectively treating a client.

4 types of countertransference

Subjective countertransference 

In subjective countertransference, your own past experiences are the cause of countertransference. You may feel “triggered,” as though your own unresolved issues are coming up in sessions with certain clients. 

Objective countertransference 

Objective countertransference occurs when your reaction to a client’s negative coping mechanisms are the cause of countertransference. This response is objective because most people would react the same way to these maladaptive behaviors. 

Positive countertransference 

With positive countertransference, you may cross boundaries with a client by over-supporting them. This may look like sharing too much about yourself with them or trying too hard to get your client to like you, potentially because you identify with their experiences. 

Negative countertransference 

Lastly, negative countertransference is when you feel negative emotions about a client that cause you to inappropriately engage with them. This may include being verbally harsh with or judgmental toward the client.

Examples of countertransference

How countertransference manifests depends on what’s coming up for you with a particular client. Potential examples of countertransference include: 

  • You’re working with a client with substance use issues when your own father was an alcoholic, and you feel triggered when they talk about drinking in session.
  • You’ve been in a verbally abusive relationship, so you have a difficult time when your client shows signs of anger, and you may even discourage this emotion.
  • You’re frustrated your client keeps lying to loved ones, and you have a difficult time hiding your disdain.
  • You have a troubled relationship with your daughter, and you try too hard to get a female client to like you.
  • You feel like it’s your fault your client isn’t taking steps to improve their depression, so you criticize them in a session.

How to deal with countertransference as a therapist

Countertransference can be harmful if it’s not addressed because it prevents you from treating your client objectively. You may also interact with your client in a negative or ineffective way, which could harm their mental health. That said: Countertransference happens, and it doesn’t mean you’re failing as a therapist. If you notice countertransference arise, it’s important you take steps to navigate it so you can still be there for your client.

Understand your limitations.

The first step is understanding your own story and how it may affect the therapeutic relationship. Be aware of any unresolved issues you may have and use judgment when meeting with a potential new client. For example, if you’ve experienced gun violence, it may be difficult to help someone else who has, because your emotions would detract from positive outcomes in therapy.

Know when to refer.

If something comes up in a later session, be honest with yourself about if you can support this part of a client’s journey (even if you really want to). If someone shares an experience that elicits empathy in you because you’ve experienced it too — for example, if your client recently lost their job and you’ve been laid off, too — then you may be able to help. But if someone’s main struggle or therapeutic goal is triggering for you, it may not be a good match. In that case, you can self-disclose that you’re not able to help because your own emotions could prevent you from effectively providing support, and then provide referrals to other therapists. 

Seek support.

Preventing countertransference is about client safety and outcomes, but it’s also important for your own emotional safety. If you think you’re experiencing countertransference, fulfilling a need for yourself inside of a therapy session, you might consider seeking out a trusted colleague, a former supervisor, or a new supervisor. Be honest about what you’re experiencing and ask for advice about how to proceed.

Therapy is complex—your systems don’t have to be

Headway lightens the load of insurance and admin, so you can focus on clinical work, not clerical work.

Talk to a practice consultant

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical, legal, financial, or professional advice. All decisions should be made at the discretion of the individual or organization, in consultation with qualified clinical, legal, or other appropriate professionals.

© 2026 Therapymatch, Inc. dba Headway. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

Running a practice