Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

Transference in a counseling context typically involves what kind of projection?

1. Client projecting feelings onto the counselor

2. Counselor projecting feelings onto the client

3. Mutual projection between client and counselor

4. Projecting external societal issues onto the therapy

The correct answer is: Client projecting feelings onto the counselor

Transference in a counseling context specifically refers to a phenomenon where a client projects feelings, thoughts, and attitudes from past relationships onto the counselor. This can include feelings associated with significant figures in the client’s life, such as parents, teachers, or partners. This projection can manifest as love, anger, dependency, or other emotions that the client has experienced in those earlier relationships. Recognizing transference is crucial for counselors because it can provide valuable insights into the client’s feelings and relationship patterns. The concept of transference is distinguished from the other options because it primarily focuses on the client's perspective and experiences. While counselors may have their emotional responses to clients, those reactions are more aligned with countertransference, which is a different concept. Mutual projection can also occur in a therapeutic relationship, but this is generally not termed as transference. Societal issues projected onto therapy can influence the therapeutic process, but this is more related to the external context rather than the personal relational dynamics that transference highlights. Understanding this specific nature of transference helps counselors navigate and utilize these projections to foster deeper therapeutic engagement.