This video features a clinical supervision vignette that demonstrates one way a supervisor may choose to intervene when a counseling supervisee is struggling with countertransference.
I appreciated the fact that the supervisor challenged the employee to work through her counter-transference and continuing helping the client as the client should not be subjected to a therapist reassignment if the client is not at risk. It will also help her learn how to work through counter-transference when it happens again in the future.
thank you for this point, i found an affordable provider last year after a long gap and their supervisor pulled them from my case after a few weeks, very disrupting for both of us
This video was a great illustration of what a conversation about experiencing counter transference would look like. It seems important to note that Dr. Grande says that this can happen, but we always need to make sure that we are aware of it so that we can work through it. Understanding that would help me not to feel like a poor counselor and understand that it is human. Counter transference can negatively effect the quality of client care since they would be a lack of fair patience and compassion from the counselor. After watching this video I will be sure to maintain my self-awareness on the issue.
Transference and countertransference have been main topics of discussion within our theories class, but I have a hard time conceptualizing what it would look like. I found this video helpful in allowing me to view how other up and coming counselors experiencing countertransference aren't even aware of it happening because they themselves are unfamiliar with what this concept holds. I found it important to note in the back of my head that it is most important to become aware of countertransference and the way it can impact the therapeutic relationship.
Dr. Grande would be the ideal supervisor in that he made the counselor comfortable with bringing her issues to the table. I enjoyed how he worked through the issues with her, asking probing questions to stimulate thought and recognition of her countertransference. He also reassured her that countertransference is normal and assessed her comfort level with continuing to work with the client. I would have liked to see him give her a few tips on how to deal with the countertransference when it is happening. Overall it was a good display of a productive supervisor-supervisee relationship.
I received a lot of comfort in this video. Through hearing that transference and counter-transference are something that happens and seeing how I can take that awareness and work through it. I could relate to a situation that I have been aware of an emotional trigger and now I know where to go with that information and how to address it. It was a great example of counter-transference.
Dr. Grande thank you for the countertransference video. You were able to demonstrate so clearly what supervision looks like for counselors. The validation of the counselor's feelings being normal was reassuring and pointing out that countertransference wasn't a failure but an opportunity to learn and grow was helpful. Also allowing the counselor to decide for herself if she could continue to with the client was great and potentially empowering. You also demonstrated empathy and provided a supportive non-judgmental space for the counselor to recognize her challenges. Thank you.
This role play highlights the importance of an effective supervisor and supervise relationship when working through issues one may have with a client. It is natural to have certain feelings and opinions towards our clients, whether they be positive or negative, but it imperative that our personal views and interpersonal struggles do not compromise client outcomes and the therapeutic relationship. Dr. Grande provided an excellent example of how a supervisor should provide a non-judgemental environment for the counselor to express her issues with David. I especially liked that he really challenged her to understand the concepts of transference and countertransference rather than just providing a solution to the concern. This reiterates the concept that supervision is about growth and keeping personal awareness at the forefront of practice as to not do harm to the population we serve.
it was refreshing to see that this is such a normal thing in counseling and counselors should not feel too bad about it. On top of this, it was a good demonstration of the feelings that may come up with counter-transference and how they may affect the relationship with the client.
That was actually a great example of countertransference and see how the feelings the counselor was having were projected onto the client. Pointing out that the legitimacy of those feelings and helping the counselor see the emotions that were being projected. This is important to have the supervision especially as new counselors.
I like how Dr. Grande addressed the issue the helper was having with her client. It was nice to see what a situation could look like in supervision as well. Dr. Grande let the supervisee know that even though this transference isn't good, it is normal and if properly addressed can be fixed.
When watching this video, I felt that Dr.Grande was able to help the supervisee's frustration extremely well. The supervisee came in wanting to understand her frustration with her client David and consequently uncovered the similarities between her husband and her client. This video sheds the light on why supervision is important for counselors. Sometimes counselors can become frustrated on an unconscious level which the counselor, in this case, was capable of recognizing it. Dr.Grande did an excellent job recognizing that the counselor was using countertransference in her sessions. Just as Dr.Grande mentioned, it is normal to come across counter transference it was crucial that the counselor was able to recognize that things didn't seem to be right. I really appreciated this video for showing issues that future counselors and current counselor may come across in their career and how to adequately work towards a solution.
This role play was an amazing example for future counselors and those who are already in the field. The relationship between the supervisor and supervisee was professional and yet therapeutic in a sense. The supervisee was able to identify her anger and frustration towards the client before communicating this issue to Dr. Grande. Both parties were able to mimic the relationship of a student and teacher. I also appreciated how he ended the session with encouraging words and ideas to help Rachel solve her countertransference effectively. Furthermore, this role play demonstrated that a counselor is always learning and growing. Thank you.
This video was a great example of how the woman counselor in the video explained how she felt countertransference from the client that she was counseling and her husband. She explains that several of the qualities her client is exhibiting (being late for sessions, spending money without his partner's knowledge, etc.) reminds her of things that her husband does at home. Dr. Grande does an excellent job of helping the client to recognize that countertransference is occurring between the woman counselor and her client as well as pointing out the fact that these feelings are normal to an extent, as long as it does not begin to influence the counselor's effectiveness toward their client(s).
I believe that this video on countertransference helps ease the stereotype that experiencing it is a bad thing. Once the counselor was able to discuss her issues with a certain client to her supervisor, the supervisor was able to help the counselor break down why she experienced frustrations with this client. I think it is extremely important that the supervisor made the counselor feel comfortable in discussing this issue. It is important in the workplace for employees to be able to approach their supervisors with difficulties such as one like this, rather than trying to fix the issue on his or her own.
It was definitely obvious that the counselor was experiencing counter-transference. I can relate to how she is feeling as I myself have experienced counter-transference with patients in the past. I agree that recognizing the strong emotions as counter-transference is the first step. I believe that sometimes it is possible with insight and supervision to continue working with clients when a counselor experiences counter-transference but transparency on the part of the counselor is necessary. I appreciate that Dr. Grande assured his supervise that what she was feeling was very normal and that it was not something to be ashamed of. I also appreciated that Dr. Grande pointed out that counter-transference can be destructive to the relationship and thus undermine the counseling process if not addressed appropriately. I believe that is the most important piece to all of this; preserving the therapeutic relationship if possible.
Once again I thoroughly enjoyed watching Dr. Grande’s role-play demonstration. I find as though it portrays how to properly discuss any concerns or issues that the counselor may be experiencing with a client, to a supervisor in order to obtain professional advise/guidance. What really stood out to me during the presentation was how Dr. Grande presented the concept of transference/countertransference to the counselor, making her aware and acknowledgeable of the behavior that may be occurring in session. I find that Dr. Grande presented the idea in a way that allowed the counselor to notice similarities between her behavior and that of countertransference, therefore letting her decide how to move forward with the client in a way that benefits him. Likewise, the counselor was able to identify the cause of her countertransference, which allows her to address the issue head on, therefore eliminating such behavior from reoccurring and potentially disrupting the therapeutic alliance.
I appreciate how Dr. Grande addressed this issue of counter transference. I think that this is something that could happen because we always bring ourselves into the session. As a counselor it’s important to recognize that it is happening or has the potential to happen. Also, sharing these issues with professors or others in supervision is essential to prevent causing harm.
This was a wonderful example of how the supervision should occur. It was interesting to see Dr. Grande use the basic listening skills while completing supervision. However it is understandable because the supervisee felt comfortable to discss her frustrations with the client without fear of being incompetent or feeling less effective. It also highlighted the importance of being aware of contertransference and how easily it can appear within the therapeutic relationship.
Dr. Grande- this role play showed me the importance of being able to have appropriate supervision. You helped the supervisee to understand that importance of countertransference. As a counselor, we are not supposed to be biased of another person. I agree with the supervisee that it might be frustrating that the client is showing up late, brushes her off like its not a big deal and does not like that he spends money without asking. Importantly, it was helpful to see that the supervisee was thinking of her husband and the same traits as her client which resulted in the counselor not giving her all and being angry on the inside. Dr. Grande, you said it best " we must not be destructive and compromise client care."
Amanda Valentino I definitely felt that preventing being angry on the inside was a major key. Even though we are all different, we certainly have similarities and remind each other of someone we have come into contact with. I think that being able to examine why we respond to certain people, or certain personalities the way we do is important in our profession. It would be unfair and unethical for a client to receive less than the best care possible just because they remind us of someone else.
I like how this roleplay uses real-life scenarios and touches on issues we may experience as a new counselor or a counselor at any level of experience. This roleplay enabled me to know how to identify countertransference so that I am able to identify it and seek supervision when I become a practicing counselor. Thank You!
This video touched on a few areas that were meaningful to me. The first is that transference and especially countertransference is normal and is not indicative of failure as a counselor. I found benefit in the idea of following our intuition as a guide as to what subjects to bring to supervision and the idea of assessing our "emotional investment" as a gauge to the significance of what may be coming up for us as counselors in a given session. A final meaningful point that Dr. Grande relayed to the counselor is that there is a benefit to both the client and the counselor that can be gained by working through issues if transference and countertransference. thank you for the information.
This illustration of countertransference was a great example and it seemed that the counselor had somewhat of an idea of what she was already feeling. I know sometime functioning in our counselor positions we may not recognize this so much at first. I hope that as I begin to practice I remember how powerful countertransference can be and how it can impact my client and I's relationship.
I feel as though Dr. Grande provided an excellent glimpse into how a supervisor and supervisee should work together appropriately to maximize client benefit. It was clear that the supervisee's frustration toward her client's attitude is further exacerbated by her home life and husband's similar demeanor. Dr. Grande was able to normalize the individual's feelings while also reminding her of the importance of working through the countertransference so as to not harm the client's progress. I would have liked to see more of how the supervisee would be coached to manage this countertransference in session to ensure that she is fully present, genuine, and providing unconditional positive regard toward the client.
I thought that this video did a great job of illustrating the way in which (such as in this case) feeling frustrated with a client can easily relate to frustration that I may be experiencing in m own life. It can be simple to see parallels between a counselor's personal life and traits or experiences of a client. This in turn has the ability to skew a counselor's professionalism and the ability to be objective- furthermore preventing the counselor from being fully present in the session with the client. This distraction could get in the way of establishing a positive therapeutic relationship and interrupts client care. I think it was productive to note the need to be aware of counter transference and work through supervision to decide whether or not you can continue to work with this client productively without causing any harm.
Great video, I wonder, if she coulnd't work with him anymore because of the countertransference, how would she tell him that she can't be his counselor?
Clients are just a number. The therapist comes before the client - it doesn't matter if the client has become attached to the therapist. If the therapist has issues they will move him/her on. You get another one to start from scratch with. That's how it works in NZ.
How often do supervisors and counselors meet? And regarding telehealth counselor sessions, is it likely the supervisor would watch a few sessions to check on the counselors therapy?
Given from this video, it is clear to see how counter-transference can affect the counselor and how his/her counter transference can affect the client's setting and care for the client. The supervisee had mentioned that she would be angry and feel uncomfortable around her client. The supervisee further mentions how she would be distracted and in her head during the session. We can see how a simple feeling of unaddressed counter-transference can affect a client. fortunately, this supervisee with the help of her supervisor can recognize and being to address the counter-transference.
Hi Dr Todd, Thank you for making these videos! "I probably shouldn't say this, but...." Does/Would that comment be a violation of client confidentiality? I'm in school now to become a therapist and so my feeling is yes. Best wishes, Pat
The counselors' countertransference was clear. I would imagine that any time a client allows you to feel a particular way that this would be the best time to turn inward and look at where this feeling may be coming from. It was caring of Dr. Grande to express to the counselor that her feelings were normal and further offer the option to transfer the client if she felt that this could continue to be an issue for her. I would wonder what you would do if you were faced with the same issue in your own private practice?
John-One of the most important things as a counselor is to have good supervision. It took me years to realize the value of a good supervisor over population worked with, pay, work environment, etc... Fortunately I now have an excellent superior I work with. If I had my own practice, I would definitely search for a good supervisor to work with on a regular basis. This would help ensure that if counter-transference was occurring, I could recognize it quickly and minimize any potential damage.
What’s sad is the dynamics used are always cliche and stereotypical. Not every scenario is female/ male. Sometimes female clients love their female therapists deeply (the way that the world would view a guy falling in love with a female) and it creates a lot of issues when it’s not acknowledged as if it’s something taboo or like a disease. Especially when a someone has intense mother issues. I wish there were more scenarios that address issues and feelings of deep love that aren’t dominantly heterosexual.
maybe the counsellor should consider his body language and how that might be received by the client. not sure how she feels with his legs crossed and showing the bottom of his shoe to her
