Retransference is a term used in psychoanalysis to describe the patient's redirection of feelings towards their therapist, which are actually based on past experiences with important figures in their life. The word can be broken down into syllables as "re" + "trans" + "fer" + "ence," with stress on the second syllable. This can be transcribed in IPA as /riːtrænsˈfɜːrəns/, with the long "e" and "a" sounds in "re" and "trans" respectively and the stress on the second syllable indicated by the apostrophe.
Retransference is a term used in psychology and psychotherapy to describe a phenomenon where a patient redirects feelings and emotions that they may have had towards individuals in their past onto their therapist or counselor. It is a concept closely related to transference, which refers to the process of projecting feelings, attitudes, and experiences from previous relationships onto the therapist.
In retransference, the patient's emotions and associations with individuals from their past are reactivated or revived and projected onto the therapist. These feelings could include various aspects such as positive or negative emotions, unresolved conflicts, dependencies, or even unresolved sexual or affectionate feelings. Retransference may occur when the therapeutic relationship begins to resemble or trigger dynamics from the patient's past relationships.
This phenomenon can be both a valuable source of insight and a potential obstacle to progress in therapy. On one hand, retransference can offer a unique opportunity for the patient to gain awareness of unresolved issues and emotional patterns from their past. It allows the therapist to view the patient's unresolved issues through the patient's own perspective. On the other hand, if retransference is not recognized and addressed, it can lead to misunderstandings and potentially hinder the therapeutic process.
Retransference is an important concept in psychotherapy as it highlights the complexity of the therapeutic relationship and the significance of previous experiences in shaping an individual's current psychological state. It underscores the role of the therapist in understanding and navigating the patient's emotional landscape, with the ultimate aim of fostering growth and resolution.
The word "retransference" is formed by combining the prefix "re-" meaning "again" or "back" and the word "transference".
The word "transfer" is derived from Latin "transferre", which combines "trans" meaning "across" or "beyond" with "ferre" meaning "to carry".
"Transference" in psychology refers to the unconscious redirection of feelings or emotions from one person to another, often in a therapeutic context. It was coined by Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, in the early 20th century.
Therefore, "retransference" refers to the act of transferring emotions or feelings back or again from one person to another, generally referring to the repetition of transference in a therapeutic relationship.