Remaining Aware of our Own Countertransference
Through Journal Prompts for Mental Health & Eating Disorder Clinicians
This blog was initially intended for my supervisees, and myself, as an opportunity to reflect on our work as we transition into a New Year. However, this might be helpful for any type of profession, particularly those in the healing professions. As dietitians working with mental health and eating disorders, I believe it is especially important that we remain aware of our own “stuff”. It’s also worth understanding that counselors are only human too. We still get triggered and we still have challenges to overcome. I personally appreciate the “wounded healer” concept but need to be aware of these wounds and honest with ourselves or risk falling into some typical pitfalls. Countertransference and projection are two.
Countertransference or the emotions our clients elicit in us can often lead to unconscious reactions based on our own history and experiences. It is important to bring this into consciousness. Countertransference is not bad but can be a useful tool to learn more about ourselves as well as our clients. We are in a sense bouncing feelings and thoughts off each other. We need to remain aware of where our feelings and thoughts are rooted to avoid projecting our own beliefs onto the client erroneously. With projection, we deny or cannot fully see certain qualities in ourselves but see them in our clients. This applies to both positive and negative qualities.
For example, are we talking about our own wounds when we think we are seeing something clearly in our clients? Are we making assumptions based on our own history and belief systems? On our own biases? How are we taking things personally? Where are our blind spots?
I asked myself these questions and I journaled and reflected on them. I obtained some additional insights that I believe will prove valuable. I challenge you, to do the same.
If you feel blocked, or don’t know where to start, here are a series of straightforward questions that I encourage you to answer with your nondominant hand. Why the nondominant hand you might ask? Dr. Lucia Capacchione, an art therapist, states that by using the nondominant hand we help access emotions that are locked away in the limbic system. This part of the brain is not directly available to the left, logical side of the brain. I have used this art of journaling for many years now and find it an efficient way to tap into my inner guidance, intuition, or “wise mind”.
1) What do I find most challenging in my work?
2) What is my typical reaction to these challenges?
3) Why do I react this way? Where Have I learned this response?
4) What can I do differently?
5) What can help me with this?
Next, it might be nice to also explore the areas in which we feel we are excelling. The areas that feel exciting and fulfilling.
1) What do I enjoy most about my work?
2) How can I increase this? Or have more of this?
3) What can help me make this happen?
We often ask our clients to journal and reflect. We need to practice what we preach and continue connecting with our inner worlds. Expanding our awareness is just as important as walking beside our clients as they expand theirs. Here is to a more conscious 2021!