Addictions Counselor Practice Exam

Countertransference happens when a therapist’s own feelings toward a client arise from the therapist’s personal history and then color how they respond or interact with the client. These emotional reactions are projected onto the client, not caused by the client, and they can shape judgment and boundaries if not managed—often requiring supervision or reflection to keep care objective. In contrast, when the client projects unresolved issues onto the therapist, that is transference from the client’s side. Neutral, emotion-free reactions would not be countertransference. Projecting the client’s past relationships onto the therapist is also a form of transference, not the therapist’s counterreaction.