countertransference

noun

coun·​ter·​trans·​fer·​ence ˌkau̇n-tər-(ˌ)tran(t)s-ˈfər-ən(t)s 

-ˈtran(t)s-(ˌ)fər-

1

: psychological transference especially by a psychotherapist during the course of treatment

especially : the psychotherapist's reactions to the patient's transference

2

: the complex of feelings of a psychotherapist toward the patient

Examples of countertransference in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first half of the lecture outlines the history of antisemitism; the second half is about countertransference, a common psychological phenomenon that occurs when a physician allows his or her feelings to influence a patient’s treatment. — Sheldon Rubenfeld, National Review, 13 Jan. 2024

One theory is that compassion fatigue results from countertransference, an unconscious process in which a person becomes connected to another's stresses or traumas. — Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2023

Big personal feelings surfacing as a result of work with patients is called countertransference. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for countertransference

• coinsurance
• concurrence
• deterrence
• incurrence
• occurrence
• recurrence
• transference

Medical Definition

countertransference

noun

coun·​ter·​trans·​fer·​ence ˌkau̇nt-ər-tran(t)s-ˈfər-ən(t)s, -ˈtran(t)s-(ˌ) 

1

: psychological transference especially by a psychotherapist during the course of treatment

especially : the psychotherapist's reactions to the patient's transference

2

: the complex of feelings of a psychotherapist toward the patient