Exploring Ethical Considerations of Transference and Countertransference

Understanding and managing transference and countertransference is crucial in therapy as these dynamics can deeply impact the therapeutic relationship, influencing both the clinician's objectivity and the client's emotional experience, making it essential for maintaining ethical and effective treatment.
  • Teacher
    Diane Bigler
  • CE Hours
    3
  • Study time
    3.5 hours
  • Certification
    Yes
  • Cost
    $35.99
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Requirements
Instructor

About This Course

This training explores key topics such as identifying and managing transference and countertransference through real-world examples, including scenarios where clients project romantic or parental feelings onto therapists, or therapists over-identify with clients due to personal experiences. It emphasizes ethical principles such as maintaining professional boundaries, managing conflicts of interest, and being mindful of self-disclosure. Clinicians are taught to apply strategies like seeking supervision, engaging in self-reflection, and recognizing their emotional reactions to clients. The training also incorporates case studies and practical applications, enabling participants to apply these concepts effectively in their clinical practice while ensuring ethical integrity.

Integrative Trauma Treatment Center (ITTC) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6912. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Integrative Trauma Treatment Center (ITTC) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Key Learning Objectives

  • Describe Examples of Transference and Countertransference: 
    Participants will learn to identify different forms of transference (e.g., romantic, parental, anger) and countertransference (e.g., subjective, objective) in therapeutic settings. This will help in recognizing these dynamics as they arise during treatment.
  • Identify Clinical Practice Situations Reflecting Transference and Countertransference:
    The training will provide real-world examples and case studies to illustrate how transference and countertransference can manifest in practice. Scenarios like a client projecting parental feelings onto a therapist or a therapist becoming overprotective are explored.
  • Apply Ethical and Clinical Recommendations: Participants will learn strategies for managing these dynamics, including self-reflection, supervision, and maintaining professional boundaries. Ethical principles like maintaining professional boundaries and addressing conflicts of interest are emphasized.

Requirements

Minimum of a Master's Degree in a mental health or related field; or be a student in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field. 

In Low- and Middle-Income Countries, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field is required.

Instructor

Diane Bigler
LCSW, LSCSW - Mental Health Advocate &  Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Diane is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the fields of psychology, social work and mental health. Diane was an Adjunct Professor of Social Work at The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare, for over 10 years. She obtained her master's degree in Social Work from KU in 2006, with clinical concentrations in Children & Families and Mental Health. Diane taught classes in the Clinical Master's program, which included: Clinical Social Work Practice, Loss and Grief, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Family Therapy, Advanced Standing Practice, and Mental Health & Psychopathology. Diane was also a practicum Field Instructor, Field Liaison and Community Education trainer for the School of Social Welfare. Diane has facilitated hundreds of trainings to mental health professionals, physicians and nurses, teachers, police officers, business personnel, and local City Council members. Diane enjoys the creativity that comes with envisioning and designing trainings, and aims to provide trainings that are informative, engaging and skill-building. She has customized and facilitated leadership and corporate trainings to EAP clients on wellness and business topics.

FAQs

Can I get a refund?

Please reach out with any issues or concerns you're having with the platform or course. We'll do our best to resolve the issue, but always consider refund requests on a case-by-base basis. 

Will my state board accept these CEs?

Integrative Trauma Treatment Center (ITTC) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6912. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.

Can I interact with the instructor? 

CE courses are designed to be asynchronous, which means they're self-guided without live instruction. Our help team is available to answer any course-related questions you may have. 

How long do I have to complete the course?

You can complete the course at your own speed. If you need to take a break, you can simply log out and our platform will save your place. 

Do I get a certificate immediately?

You're able to download a certificate upon completion of the course, which includes a quiz and feedback survey. 

Are online courses HIPAA-compliant?

Any case studies included in our courses have been appropriately anonymized to be HIPAA-compliant. 

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