in doing analytical dynamic or freudian therapy these terms are used. transference is how the patient unconsciously acts towards the therapist. i. e. if the patient is always feeling the therapist is harsh condescending vindictive (things we are trained not to be. ) and then the patient starts lashing out verbally skipping appointments then this may be a reflection about how the patient dealt with a harsh condescending vindictive mother or father. this helps the therapist understand the patient's behaviors which they can then work on. countertransference is how the therapist feels and thinks about the patient. we can get angry feel harsh vindictive etc. towards patients but in theory and depending on your training we are taught not to act on these thoughts/feelings but to recognize them and understand how the patient likely makes other people in their usual environment feel. for example if a patient makes me always feel angry and irritated they probably do this to their spouse boss family members etc. too. both are tools we use to help patients in this type of therapy
what is transference and countertransference?