Transference and counter transference as an agent in care

The focus of this study lies in identifying the concepts of Transference (T) and Counter Transference (Ct) within the therapeutic interaction/relationship of clients who are receiving complementary therapy as part of their palliative care.The study takes a modern view of T and Ct, taking account of the author's own interpretation of T and Ct and considering how these concepts may also be located in inanimate objects.While all health professionals are committed to providing the best possible care for their client group, there appears to remain a lack of understanding and indeed interest in the psychoanalytic concepts, in particular transference and counter transference, which greatly influence therapeutic interactions.Consequently much can be lost within the treatment process.Drawing on an analysis of 'talk' which is drawn from semi structured interviews with clients and their practitioners, this longitudinal study aimed to identify and explore the significance of the concepts of transference and countertransference within the process of care. Taking a multiple and eclectic approach and using the three core elements of phenomenology, talk and reflexivity, the study investigates one set of data from ten clients and their complementary therapy practitioners.The findings reinforce evidence of the presence of T and Ct and demonstrate the feasibility of their identification within the therapeutic interaction and also acknowledge the wider therapeutic value of the interaction. Detailed refinement of the data enables the researcher to categorise the outcomes into four levels of importance. These four levels range from triggers at level one through to responses and actions at level four and demonstrate that each client can move within the levels depending on the intensity of T/Ct.It is argued that increased awareness of the significance and occurrence of T/Ct can only enhance the therapeutic relationship with potential benefits for healing.Inclusion of an understanding and working with the concepts of T and Ct in the education of all health care professionals would also greatly enhance care outcome for the client and reduce fear within practitioners in the recognition of unconscious drives