COUNTERTRANSFERENCE AS A CORRECTIVE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE IN EXISTENTIAL FAMILY-THERAPY

An existential approach to family psychotherapy should be cognizant of both individual human development and family life cycle growth. In Ex istential Family Therapy a family developmental challenge often occurs when the developmental progression needs of one family member challen ge the pace of total family developmental progression. In such a situa tion intervention by the therapist should occur in a way that facilita tes both individual and family developmental growth. Such intervention s often best occur through the creative and controlled use of the fami ly therapist's countertransference feelings in a way that helps the fa mily accept and master its developmental challenges. Case material is provided to illustrate the described intervention approach.