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Countertransference (CT) is now recognized as the most important tool in psychodynamic procedures. Despite extensive practical and theoretical research on the patient's interpersonal patterns reflected in the countertransference, little is known about the therapist's contribution to this phenomenon. A difficulty in studying this aspect is the recording of a phenomenon that many researchers unconsciously understand as ego-syntonic. So far, the topic has primarily been approached through case reports by clinically active authors. This article provides a comprehensive review of the empirical research on this subject, drawing on a systematic search of scientific databases. The systematic search was performed using the electronic databases PsycINFO, PsycArticles, PubMed and PSYNDEX and finally included 10 publications in the analysis after title and abstract screening of 1037 studies. It became clear that the studies included vary significantly in their definitions of therapist contribution and countertransference as well as their attempts to measure them. To address the therapistʼs contribution in the context of countertransference events an extension of the concept of Hayes is proposed, which integrates therapist personality traits and attitudes, sociodemographic characteristics, and biographical experiences (subjective assessments versus objective information) to better capture the therapist's role in countertransference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article "Ronald Baker (1993) The Patient's Discovery of the Psychoanalyst as a New Object," Ronald Baker examines the role of transference in psychoanalysis. He emphasizes the importance of the analytic setting and refers to the works of James Strachey and Hans G. Loewald. Baker describes a case study in which he himself became the object of rejection and emphasizes the significance of surviving such attacks for potential change. He explains that the discovery of the analyst as a new object is a prerequisite for changes in the ego and its object relations. Baker compares this discovery to Christopher Bollas' concept of the "transformational object." Another work by Baker, "Finding the Neutral Position," deals with the inner work of the analyst. The article discusses the therapeutic effect of psychoanalysis and the role of transference and countertransference in analysis. It is emphasized that perceiving a new object in analysis requires careful analysis of transference. The analyst should be receptive to transferences but not act as a transference object. It is also noted that distinguishing between countertransference reaction and actual countertransference is important. The discovery of the analyst as a new object allows the patient a new perspective on their internal objects. It is emphasized that this discovery is a prerequisite for reorganizing the ego and its object relations. [Extracted from the article]

This paper argues that the distinction between the dynamic and the descriptive unconscious is in danger of being lost and indicates some of the practical, clinical consequences of this loss. It does so against the background of Freud’s own struggles with his radical conception of the dynamic unconscious as ultimately unknown, as they appear in the revisions of The Interpretation of Dreams, invoking Laplanche’s recognition of Freud’s Copernican Revolution and the temptation he felt to make a Ptolemaic Return. It also comments on confusion about whether feelings can be said to be unconscious and the implications of this confusion for clinical practice, especially for our understanding of the concepts of transference and countertransference. An extended analysis of a dream is presented to show the dynamic unconscious in action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]