Transferance and Counter-Transferance

Transference and counter transference is one of most important aspects of treatment between patient and practitioner. In a clinical setting we do not always have the opportunity to have consecutive treatments with the same patient and as a result may not be able to acknowledge or notice these occurrences. It is not often that I have the opportunity to see a patient on a regular basis or even twice for that matter. As a result, it is not possible for me to notice or recognize any transference that the patient my have towards me. At times however, I clearly know the impose counter-transference & boundaries issues which patient and I experience. When my patients are of similar race or age range, I feel a stronger tide towards them. I feel they could relate to me and me to them during treatments. One case was an older Spanish patient which we had. I had strong counter transference toward this patient. He was older Spanish man, with a baldhead, and limping from a post-stroke. He was very energetic and had very high spirit. His personality and certain things he would say reminded me off my grandfather. After leaving the treatment room and coming back to give him a treatment he would be singing, which I though, "that's is so typical of my grandfather, always happy." I thought this man was adorable, having gone through so much and yet full of life. I felt very comfortable with him. I definitely felt I had some type of connection with him, I felt more sympathy towards him than other patients. Although, I felt this way towards this patient I did not express or demonstrate it. I kept myself focused and acted in a professional manner. At the same time of this occurrence there were other things that went on pertaining to transference and counter transference. The Intern and I definitely had some type of strong transference and counter transference going on. There was a clash of personalities between the intern and me. We totally did not get along. I