An Introduction to Countertransference

Claire Cartwright is a clinical psychologist, an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Auckland, and a Fellow of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists. Dr Cartwright initially trained in cognitive-behavioural and psychodynamic therapy approaches. Early on in her teaching of trainee therapists, Dr Cartwright observed that trainees often experience difficulty recognising, understanding and managing their countertransference reactions. She began experimenting with ways to make countertransference theory and practice accessible to trainees and therapists from a range of therapeutic approaches. This began the development of the four-step approach to countertransference that she introduces in this book.  For the last fifteen years, Dr Cartwright’s primary teaching and research focus has been on countertransference.  Along with colleagues, she has conducted and published research into teaching and learning about countertransference.  She has presented her research at several international conferences and offered training workshops for mental health professionals in understanding and managing countertransference therapeutically.

• Chapter 1 - An Introduction to CountertransferenceChapter 2 - Countertransference and the Therapeutic RelationshipChapter 3 - Four Steps to Understanding and Managing CountertransferenceChapter 4 - Understanding Countertransference in PracticeChapter 5 - Countertransference and therapeutic rupturesChapter 6 - Managing Countertransference in PracticeChapter 7 - Classroom and group learning and countertransferenceReferences

An Introduction to Countertransference contains a wealth of information that will help orient novice trainees to this important topic, as well as guide experienced therapists in their own clinical work, teaching, and supervision. Dr. Cartwright′s wisdom, accumulated from many years of studying and helping others learn about countertransference, is evident in this gem of a book. Dr. Cartwright neatly synthesizes theory, research, and practical applications in a highly digestible fashion. I can′t imagine a therapist who would not benefit from reading this book.