"Thinking It Through": Toward A Model Of Reflective Practice For Trainee Psychologists' Countertransference Reactions

Objective: Understanding and managing countertransference (CT) is challenging for therapists and more so for trainees. This study aimed to understand more about trainees' experiences of CT; and to consider the usefulness for reflective practice of a five component model of CT (origins, triggers, manifestations, effects, and management) and the importance of feedback.Method: Trainee psychologists in Australia and New Zealand took part in a CT training and were invited to take part in the study. Trainees were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 conditions in which they received regular feedback or feedback at the end of the study. Nineteen trainees completed 93 reflective logs. Data from the logs were analysed using thematic analyses.Results: Most trainees perceived their CT originated from formative experiences and personality qualities and were triggered by dient concerns and behaviours. They described a wide range of CT manifestations; and perceived the effects of CT as mainly negative. More trainees in the regular feedback condition, compared to post-completion, engaged with the activity. However, there was no difference in themes that emerged in the two groups.Conclusions: The five-component model of CT provides a method for reflecting on CT and could be used to enhance trainees' reflective practice.