Do therapists want transference?

Therapists may intentionally use transference to better understand your perspective or problems. It can also be unintended. You may attribute negative or positive feelings to your therapist because of similarities you see in your therapist and someone else in your life. Treatment is possible in both cases.

Why you might need to refer a client to another professional?

A counsellor may refer a client on if, for example, the difficulty the client is experiencing is outside of their knowledge base. The counsellor may have a working knowledge of say eating disorders but feels the client would be best served by seeing someone with specialist rather than generic knowledge.

When is it appropriate to refer a client to another professional?

It is appropriate to refer someone to another professional if something within the counseling relationship affects your ability to provide therapy. Some people, for instance, may flirt casually with their therapists. The flirting could create an opportunity to discuss transference and provide room for exploration.

When might you have to refer a client?

Referral is when counselors make recommendations of where else a client might seek treatment. This may happen if counselors cannot accept the client for some (appropriate) reason or, if after some treatment has occurred, the client’s needs have changed.

When should you refer to a therapist?

If a mental health professional is not experienced or competent enough to handle a particular issue, a referral is in order. In practical terms, a mental health professional should give a client a referral if the client requires continued counseling while the counselor is away for an extended period of time.

When do you refer to a therapist?

California law allows patients to seek physical therapy treatment up to 45 calendar days or 12 visits, whichever occurs first, without receiving a dated signature on the physical therapist’s plan of care from the patient’s physician, surgeon, or podiatrist indicating approval of the physical therapist’s plan of care.

How do you feel when you transfer to a new therapist?

In a qualitative study, Clark et al. (2014) found that clients often reported feeling anxiety, fear, sadness, and anger about the transfer. These clients also reported that it was helpful when the new therapist and clinic helped them cope with these feelings.

What should I do when referring a client to another therapist?

According to Jim, the two most important things to do when you refer a client to another therapist are: Be inquisitive. Respect the client’s right to self-determination. The most common reason Jim refers a client to another therapist is when he believes the client is in need of a more intensive intervention.

Do therapists-in-training work with transfer clients?

In our recent study of therapists-in-training working with transfer clients (Marmarosh et al., in press), almost all of the trainees reported that they had been provided little to no training in how to work with clients who have had prior therapists. This is consistent with our personal training experiences as well.

How can a prior therapy relationship help a client through a transfer?

In essence, the prior therapy relationship and the experience of surviving a transfer can bolster clients through the transfer process. The way the new therapist helps the client cope after the transfer can also minimize negative effects.