Rational anl irrational aspects of countertransference

Countertransference in therapy stems from biological tendencies and social learning influences that involve mild or heavy prejudiced thinking, feeling , and behaving. Several reasons are given why it is almost inevitable and h as both beneficial and destructive aspects-not either/or but both/and. It i s hypothesized that therapists can well make good use of countertransferenc e ii they strive to employ it in a preferential. experimental rather than a n absolutist masturbating manner. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons. Inc.