When Our Stories Get in the Way

I recently had the chance to research a Counseling Today story on countertransference - or for those not in the counseling business, how your therapist's own stories can get in the way of the work she does with you. I have counseled a few other therapists so far in my career, and this sort of self-reflection comes up again and again. Meanwhile, I also take part in three supervision groups (one with peers, one with EMDR therapists, and one with Imago Relationship therapists) and meet regularly with an individual supervisor. I say all of this to stress the point that while your counselor is a person, "too," she needs to attend to her own experiences and not let them influence her work with you unless it's appropriate. I was thrilled to hear the stories of other counselors working through their own issues and honestly naming them with supervisors and peers, so as not to harm their own clients. Read the whole story here.