Countertransference in psychotherapy with patients suffering from cancer disease
An empirical investigation
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21498628 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David Faggi (0000-0002-3974-3595, University of Salerno, corresponding author), Laura Girelli (0000-0001-8100-6524, University of Salerno), Lucia Caligiani (Clinical Training and Research Division, Florentine Association of Psycho-analytic Psychotherapy (A.F.P.P.)), Antonio Suman (Clinical Training and Research Division, Florentine Association of Psycho-analytic Psychotherapy (A.F.P.P.)), Chiara Fioretti (0000-0002-1440-9398, University of Salerno) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 1-19 |
| Publication date | 2025-09-04 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Social Work Practice (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0265-0533 • E-ISSN: 1465-3885 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/02650533.2025.2551543 |
| OpenAlex | W4414004970 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 47 |
Very little is known about therapists’ emotional response to clinical intervention with people facing severe disease. The present paper aims to explore psychotherapists’ countertransference patterns with patients suffering from cancer. A sample of 39 psychotherapists answered several questions about their education and professional profile and completed the Therapist Response Questionnaire to assess main patterns of countertransference experienced in their relationship with oncological patients. Bivariate correlations and analysis of variance have been run to assess the main countertransference patterns in professionals. The main patterns of countertransference with cancer patients were the Positive-Satisfying one, the Overwhelmed-Disorganised, the Helpless-Inadequate and the Parental-Protective. Bivariate correlation showed a significant negative association between therapist’s age and years of service and the Positive-Satisfying pattern. Professionals working in private practice reported significantly more Criticised-Devalued, Helpless-Inadequate and Hostile-Angry, as well as less Positive-Satisfying patterns than therapists operating in hospital settings. Professionals in a therapeutic relationship with cancer patients in private practice have complex emotional responses that might affect psychotherapy and potentially increase their emotional distress. Authors discuss the protective role of institutional setting and of the multidisciplinary health care group to support therapists’ ability to deal with cancer disease
Countertransference · Disease · Psychoanalysis · Psychotherapist · Counseling Practices and Supervision · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
Countertransference as the therapist's mental activity
Countertransference Reactions to Cancer
Principles of intensive psychotherapy
If You Save Me, I'll Save You
Experiences in Groups
Hearing the Faith in Time
The Traumatic Area and the Institutional Field
Field theory
Countertransference Enactments Informed By Cancer in an Analyst's cHild
Notes on Countertransference
Cancer in the mass print media
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |