AN EXPLORATION OF BODY-CENTRED COUNTERTRANSFERENCE IN IRISH THERAPISTS

This paper aims to assess the frequency of Body Centred Countertransference (BCT) in a large sample of therapists (N=175; 122 Females) using the Egan and Carr Body Centred Countertransference Scale BCTs are bodily responses of the therapist towards the client’s story. Understanding how the body reacts and if gender or therapeutic approach has an impact on the presence of BCTs will help in the management of these symptoms. The most commonly reported BCTs in the current study included: muscle tension (80.6%), tearfulness (77.7%), sleepiness (72%), yawning (69.1%) and throat constriction (45.8%). Descriptive statistics showed a higher occurrence of muscle tension and aches in female therapists while a higher occurrence of sexual arousal was seen in male therapists. The sample size did not allow for comparison across therapeutic orientation These theoretical understandings of countertransference will aid in the awareness of BCTs, internal supervision of what this means in session, and its management within the supervisory relationship.