30 Mar Countertransference: Skilful Techniques to Ethically Manage It
What is countertransference, and how does it manifest in therapy? Countertransference refers to the therapist’s emotional responses to a client’s projections (transference), which are often unconscious. While this dynamic is natural, managing it effectively is crucial to avoid ethical and legal risks. Understanding and navigating countertransference can not only protect you professionally but also enhance your therapeutic work and foster your growth as a clinician.
This on-demand, prerecorded training will explore how countertransference arises, how it can influence your clinical practice, and how to use it as a tool for deeper therapeutic connection and self-awareness. You will learn to recognize your own attachment style and its impact on countertransference, helping you identify potential blind spots and vulnerabilities in your therapeutic approach.
Drawing on case examples and depth therapy perspectives, this workshop will equip you with practical techniques for ethically managing countertransference and navigating common ethical dilemmas. Through self-reflection and consultation, you’ll deepen your understanding of these dynamics, improving both your clinical effectiveness and personal development.
Gain a deeper understanding of how to attend to countertransference in a way that supports both your clients and your own ongoing growth as a therapist.
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
a). Name four ethical boundaries most vulnerable to countertransference, and three ways to ethically handle them in your practice.
b). Identify and describe at least one somatic, affective, cognitive and attachment based piece of information about your therapy style. Use this information to define your own decision tree to explore and process your countertransference responses and dialogue.
c). Using short sample dialogues and parallel processes, explore and learn to contain and name your countertransference responses within your client-provider relationships.
d). Learn and practice in-depth consultative reflective tools and techniques that promote insight about your own countertransference as they arise.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this event includes psychologists, social workers, counselors, MFT’s, psychiatrists and other clinical mental health professionals.
Allison Broennimann, PhD
Dr. Allison Broennimann is a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in depth therapy, neuropsychology, attachment, and post traumatic growth. In 2013 she received congressional recognition for her work with Veterans at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.
She balances her online practice based out of California and is currently writing her first book on building a secure attachment from within.
This online workshop will give you instant access to 3 sessions of video content, accessible via streaming on our website, as well as downloadable PowerPoint slides. You can view the course content in your own time, there is no time limit on access.
The duration of this workshop is 3 learning hours.
Please click the green ‘Mark Complete’ button on each module as you progress. A certificate of completion will be generated upon finishing the course and completing a short assessment quiz. If the certificate is not showing, please confirm you have marked all sections as ‘Complete’. Please consult your professional organisation/association to confirm whether you are able to claim any CPD points/hours for this online workshop.
