5. What are the barriers to actualizing a therapeutic relationship?

The sources identify transference, countertransference, and resistance as barriers to actualising a therapeutic relationship. Transference involves the client's unconscious redirection of feelings from past relationships to the therapist. Countertransference is the therapist's unconscious emotional response to the client, which can stem from the therapist's own unresolved conflicts or reactions to the client's transference. Resistance refers to the client's conscious or unconscious opposition to the therapeutic process.

6. What are the therapeutic functions of transference feelings for the counsellor/therapist? Explain with the help of examples.

Transference feelings can serve as valuable clues for the therapist to understand the client's interpersonal patterns, defense mechanisms, and unresolved conflicts. By recognising and analysing transference, the therapist can gain insight into the client's past experiences and how these influence their current relationships. For example, a client who consistently expresses anger and distrust towards the therapist may be reenacting past experiences with a critical parent, thus highlighting a pattern for the therapist to address.

7. How can countertransference feelings be resolved?

Strategies for resolving countertransference feelings:

• Locating sources of feelings: The therapist should identify the origins of their feelings, such as personal experiences or unresolved issues, to better understand their reactions.
• Supervisory assistance: Seeking guidance and support from a supervisor can help the therapist recognise and manage their countertransference responses.
• Discussion with the client: In some cases, carefully and appropriately discussing countertransference feelings with the client can enhance the therapeutic process.
• Growth and awareness: Therapists should work on their self-awareness and personal growth through reflective practice, as this is an essential aspect of good practice. This also aids in knowing when to refer out a client if the therapist can not effectively remain objective.

8. What is resistance? Explain different techniques of handling resistance.

Resistance is a client's conscious or unconscious opposition to the therapeutic process, which can take various forms, including avoiding certain topics, being late or cancelling appointments, or intellectualising.

Techniques for handling resistance include:

• Exploring the resistance: The therapist should examine the client's reasons for resisting and try to understand the underlying fears and anxieties associated with therapy.
• Experiencing the feelings associated with resistance in one’s body: This is a key aspect of working with resistance.
• Reframing: Helping clients see their situations and experiences in new, helpful ways.
• Paradoxical methods: These include strategies such as paradoxical intention that highlight negative consequences, predicting failure and hopelessness in order to break those patterns.
• Working with it: Rather than confronting the resistance, working with the client’s energy to reduce or break down the problem into smaller sub-tasks.

Important Points

• Countertransference is therapist's projections of her or his attitudes and feelings onto the client.
• Professional identity defense is an unconscious need to defend oneself professionally at the client's expense.
• Locating sources of feelings, awareness and growth as well as referral to group settings are means of resolving countertransferences.
• Definition of resistance: Impediment to change in therapy process
• Type of resistance: Intellectual inhibitions
• Method to resolve resistance: Reducing emotional impact