Identifying the faces in the mirror: untangling transference and countertransference in self psychology

Experienced psychotherapists realize that there are many levels of meaning behind much that is said during the therapeutic hour. The challenge for the competent professional is to become wise enough to learn what to ignore and sensitive enough to know what to emphasize. Sorting this out is at the heart of the practice of good psychotherapy. In this article, we will briefly share our thoughts on this rich but complicated interpersonal interaction using Kohutian self psychology theory to understand the role of countertransference in the process of conducting psychotherapy.