Transference is a complicated process and concept. This article attempts to describe it in simple terms, focussing on a basic understanding and highlighting why it is felt to be so important in analytic psychotherapies. I will end by thinking about how it can emerge and be used in both individual and group therapy.
What are the origins of transference?
The idea of ‘transference’ arose through Freud’s discovery that his patients projected early feelings about their parents onto him in the therapeutic work. Since Freud’s time, there have been developments in the field, furthering our understanding and recognising the complexity of the concept of transference, counter-transference and other similar processes. For the purposes of this article, I will not be exploring these later developments.
What is transference?
The fundamental meaning of transference can be found in the word. We ‘transfer’ feelings from an early relationship or experience onto someone or something in the present.
One way of thinking about transference is that it is one of the levels on which we all communicate with each other. Transference goes on all the time and between everyone.
Why is transference important in therapy?
It is thought that our transferences date back to childhood and adolescence. These early experiences are internalised and unconsciously become repeated in adulthood.
These unconscious ways of relating and communicating drive our more problematic life patterns. Our relationships (and therefore relationship problems) are thought to be shaped by our transferences. So, in psychotherapy, particularly in analytic approaches, working with the transference is a key part of the therapeutic process. The therapist will be very curious from the outset about what transference or transferences the patient/client is experiencing towards them.
Part of the therapist’s task is to think beyond which figure from the past is being transferred onto them, but also the dynamic and feeling associated with this past relationship. For example, perhaps they are experienced as an angry father, or a depressed mother, or a disapproving mother, or a withdrawn father.
In individual therapy, where there are only two people in the relationship, the focus is on the patient/client’s transference towards the therapist. The nature of the therapeutic process (the therapist offering care and attention, and holding more power) means the transference feelings elicited often originate with one or both parents. However, the therapist can also stand-in for sibling relationships, early friendships and other important relationships from the past (for example teachers or grandparents).
In individual therapy the transference can be explored in detail and depth. If the relationship with the therapist feels safe enough, the patient/client can allow early feelings to emerge powerfully in the therapy, exposing past experiences that might be buried and so elucidating unconscious ways that past relationships continue to be repeated.
In group therapy, the therapist, who is also called the conductor, is likely to be experienced as an important ‘transference figure’ in the group. Like individual therapists, they will tend to receive transference feelings drawn from parental experiences though, again, not necessarily so. Group members will also have transference feelings towards each other. These often seem to be drawn from sibling relationships or other early peer relationships but can also be from past parental experiences.
Group members can also experience transferences to what is called the total group situation. This means the group as a whole, including structural aspects such as the setting, boundaries etc. The group can be experienced as powerfully reminiscent of the family or classroom or other early groups. These transferences to the total group situation at times can be shared by the whole group.
Groups offer a multitude of transference feelings that are likely to be aroused in a simultaneous and complex way. Transferences to the therapist/conductor, the group and other group members can reveal the complexity of roles in the person’s early life. This means not just their individual relationship to early figures but what was also experienced as relationships and communications between others such as parents, siblings etc. In other words, re-experiencing the original family and other early group relationships. In this way, groups provide rich multi- dimensionality for understanding the complex network of internalised relationships and dynamics that can become unconsciously re-enacted in adulthood.
Conclusion
Unlike many other ways of relating, transference is usually unconscious at the point it is being experienced. However, being able to experience and reflect, such as in therapy, can allow us to become aware of our transferences. Through this work we can become increasingly familiar with them and how they shape our patterns and difficulties. This can have a therapeutic and potentially transformative effect on our lives and our relationships.
Claire Barnes is an experienced UKCP registered psychotherapist and group analyst offering psychodynamic counselling and psychotherapy to individuals and groups at our Hove practice. She also offers couples therapy at BHP.
Further reading by Claire Barnes
What happens in groups: free-floating discussion
What are the benefits of a twice weekly therapy group?
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