Drug Addiction Help Sites: Drug Addiction Help – What Is a Counselor’s Transference?

The idea of transference in the context of addiction treatment is a dual edged sword. While it can give you tremendous insight into a client’s past, it can be just as detrimental to the client – counselor relationship if it is left unnoticed or unidentified. Transference is the projection of past emotions or processes an individual had with an “object” – person, place, location, or any trigger – on to their therapist or another person in treatment. It is important to realize when this is occurring in order to keep it from sabotaging treatment. Counter-transference occurs when you as a counselor project onto clients. It can be just as beneficial in understanding more about yourself and where a client might be coming from. It can also be as big of sabotage if not addressed.

I’ve learned my transference issues can come from multiple situations and personalities. However, there are two main situations that have happened and I have to stay aware of. The first is a quirky younger male that “means well in my eyes” and needs to be “saved.” This reminds me of a younger cousin of mine that had problems and I was very close with. I believe that if I do not recognize when this is happening I could get overly emotionally involved and start taking responsibilities for the successes and failures. Which is never good.

The second situation I have noticed, and has occurred, are male clients more my age with my own personality and outlook on life. I get of sense of a friendship and comradery that I tend to lean towards when they are doing well and I will start communicating with them in this way rather then as their counselor. Both the characteristics I explained cause an unrealistic increase in trust and belief in everything the person is saying.

Inside of my work-site, using my peers and supervisors are some of the best tools in order to deal with these types of occurrences. Talking and processing through the situation to help understand whether this can be a beneficial professional relationship or if the only option is to referring the client out will be necessary. I believe outside of my work-site, before jumping into any serious personal, business, or any other relationship – I can use my family and friend support network included in my self-care plan to help make critical decisions. Both in the work place and in my personal life open communication with people I trust will be essential.

Interpretation for transference requires accuracy and timing. Whether it be support staff, counselors, group leaders, therapists, or even a director of a program, it is important to address the issue in the right way. It may not be a good idea let a client know that the only reason they are upset is that they are being reminded of their overbearing mother right when they are their most vulnerable. It could set off a chain reaction of emotional unstableness and they might leave the drug rehab center all together calling everyone a quack on the way out.

I think it is necessary to educate clients that this dynamic can happen in almost any setting in the recovery process. From detoxification to sober living and back to the real world, they will consistently be reminded of people or things from the past that do not put them in the best of places emotionally. Whether it is someone who looks like an old using partner, a sound or smell that brings up memories of the first “high,” or a song or street that sets off an urge to use, all of these can be examples of transference in treatment.

I believe a client’s awareness of when these issues start happening can be a strong indicator of how they are doing in their recovery. A client simply recognizing they are misdirecting an emotion onto a person or object is a great step but not the complete tool needed to remain sober. It is necessary to understand how to regulate and process the emotion once it shows up. Understanding that you are upset for no solid reason is the first aspect, knowing and realizing that there is usually not a lot you can do about it is the second. Having the ability to not try to control the things you cant and asking for help with situations you can, is relative to coping with addiction.

Like many other areas of addiction treatment, transference must be handled with empathy and care. Addicts in drug or alcohol rehab must not feel judged, spoke down to, or minimalized. There is no one-way to see these issues coming or recognize them or define them right away. Again, open communication is a must.

Help Fight Drug Addiction – Help Fight Addiction www.helpfightaddiction.com is a free service to assist people in finding drug rehabilitation, detox, intervention, and counseling programs all over North America. This is just a video trying to let people know about the ways people can get out from under their addictions once and for all! Please check our site out and help us by subscribing, rating, and linking to our page.

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