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Unprecedented changes in traditional psychotherapeutic practice arose from the lockdown restrictions associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic. These changes to practice included the imposed change to the therapeutic frame when transitioning clients from face‐to‐face meetings to delivery of psychotherapy sessions via videoconferencing (defined here as telepsychotherapy). The current study conducted qualitative interviews with 16 Australian psychologists who transitioned their existing adult psychotherapy clients from face‐to‐face therapy to telepsychotherapy and explored their novel experiences associated with countertransference reactions during this period. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed several unique findings. The type of countertransference reactions towards existing clients was consistent across both face‐to‐face and online meetings; however, the felt intensity of countertransference reactions was reduced. Psychologists reported an increased hesitance to work with intense emotions during telepsychotherapy sessions and felt increased pressure to work harder during online sessions when compared to face‐to‐face meetings. Exposure to their clients' personal and home environments during telepsychotherapy sessions elicited several novel reactions towards their clients. These findings on countertransference and telepsychotherapy are informative for future practice and training. Awareness of these unique countertransference experiences is recommended prior to engaging in telepsychotherapy or when transitioning clients to this modality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapists are expected to work therapeutically with increasing numbers of older adults due to the unprecedented global growth in older population. This work is considered emotionally challenging because it can evoke intense countertransference reactions in therapists. However, the field lacks empirically based practice recommendations on how to better identify and manage therapists' countertransference with older patients. This study explores therapists' experience of their countertransference in psychotherapy with older adults, using Hayes's (2004) structural model of countertransference as a guide. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 therapists and analyzed using grounded theory methodology. The findings are clustered around three themes: (a) unresolved conflicts related to therapists' own aging and death as well to their own parents are the sources of therapists' countertransference toward the older patient, (b) therapists' countertransference reactions are triggered inside therapy in response to the patients' health issues and the issue of death, and (c) countertransference is manifested as various affective and behavioral reactions to the older patient. Our findings indicate that therapists' unresolved issues related to the inevitable developmental phase of aging as well as to their own parents might be regarded as countertransference sources unique to psychotherapy with older adults. Our findings also demonstrate the wide range of emotional and behavioral countertransference manifestations in psychotherapy with older adults. Since effective management of countertransference is related to psychotherapy process and outcome, therapists should consider expanding their awareness of how countertransference origins are triggered and manifested in therapy with older adults, in order to engage in effective management strategies. Public Significance Statement: The present study suggests that therapists' unresolved issues related to their own aging and death as well as to their own parents are the sources of therapists' countertransference toward the older patient. These issues are then manifested inside therapy in response to certain triggers in the form of various emotional and behavioral reactions. These findings highlight the importance of being aware of unique countertransference issues when working with older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In this article, the continuation of a previous study, we explored the phenomenon of echolalia in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from the perspective of one music therapist. Method: We micro-analyzed the music therapist's responses to the echoing of three clients in 40 interaction segments that occurred during music therapy, focusing on their musical and interactive characteristics. We interpreted these responses as stemming from countertransference reactions to the phenomenon of echolalia. Results: The music therapist's responses were interpreted and classified into six categories, according to their interpersonal and musical attributes: (a) ignoring the client's echolalia, (b) exhibiting boredom, hyper-activity, and/or despair, (c) attempting to control the situation, (d) attempting to teach the client, (e) using the echolalia to communicate with the client, and (f) showing empathy. Discussion: In the discussion, we attempted to interpret the findings as processes of countertransference and addressed the importance of mapping and understanding the therapist's reactions to the phenomenon of echolalia. Practical implications for caregivers working with children with ASD were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiences of nine licensed mental health practitioners regarding their work with clients from low-income backgrounds were examined utilizing grounded theory methodology. Themes that emerged from the semi-structured interviews highlighted a rich narrative that portrayed the work as both deeply satisfying and inherently complex. Participants described the personal nature of this work, including countertransference elicited because of their own personal economic contexts and emotional reactions experienced within and outside the therapy room. Their stories acknowledged systematic challenges that act as barriers to treatment. Some participants noted that this has contributed to feelings of disillusionment toward the field as well as fears about the future of the mental health care. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for training, future research, and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]