Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

Countertransference occurs when the counselor does what?

1. Projects their feelings onto the client

2. Reflects the client's feelings back to them

3. Analyzes the client's behaviors critically

4. Summarizes the client's treatment goals

The correct answer is: Projects their feelings onto the client

Countertransference occurs when the counselor projects their own feelings, attitudes, or experiences onto the client. This phenomenon can arise when a counselor unconsciously transfers personal emotions or unresolved issues onto the client, causing biased responses to the client's situations or struggles. It can affect the therapeutic relationship and the counselor’s ability to remain objective. Recognizing and managing countertransference is crucial for maintaining a professional and effective therapeutic environment, ensuring that the counselor’s personal feelings do not interfere with the client’s treatment and progress. In contrast, reflecting the client's feelings back to them focuses on understanding and validating the client’s emotions, while analyzing behaviors or summarizing treatment goals are more neutral and do not involve the counselor's personal feelings.