Transference; how to cope with

[Hailey]

I've started seeing a MT three months ago to treat my shoulder impingement. The results have been extraordinary! Her incorporation of stretching during our sessions lead me to establish a daily stretching routine and last week I took my first yoga class.

During this time I’ve read many articles on the Internet regarding massage. A few of them dealt with transference and counter-transference. Reflecting on our last session I could clearly see the impact of the normal, unconscious phenomenon of transference. I’ve convinced myself that there is no issue since I’ve recognized that what I feel is transference and have no intention to act on these feelings.

Two requests :?:
Do you agree that there is no issue?
How do I recognize the signs of counter-transference?

 

[Visualize whirled PEAS]

Two requests
Do you agree that there is no issue?
How do I recognize the signs of counter-transference?

I would treat it like this. If you are comfortable with your therapist, and your relationship remains professional (boundaries kept), I wouldn't worry about it. What type of transference are you experiencing?
It is natural and as far as I am concerned, very hard to control. I also say this only because you have voiced that you are aware of this and that know the feelings are a result of your subconscious. You shouldn't act on your feelings and you will need to get those needs met elsewhere.

If someone is giving you are caring touch and attention, it would be difficult not to become somewhat attached to them.
I know I adore my therapist!

An example of countertransference would be if the therapist started to have personal feelings for you and were possibly to act on them. This on itself would be crossing a few boundaries.
Another example is if your therapist repeatedly bends her own rules for you - that is countertransference.

I have become aquaintances with clients and friends with therapists, but when in the professional setting, I am their therapist and I always try to keep all boundaries in tact.
I don't tend to socialize with clients outside of the office or involve them in my personal life, but I do care about them and their lives.

Hope this is helpful for you.

 

[simasu01]

Original Poster - quick response to Masthera

Masthera, thanks for the reply … my transference was of the adoration kind … I also found I wouldn’t say anything when she pushed too hard … but yesterday, during our session, for the first time I found it easy to tell her that she was applying too much pressure … I was only able to do this since I finally realized that transference had been controlling some of my behavior … the only thing that I’ll continue to allow transference to dictate is my view that I think she’s the greatest MT in the world

 

[Michael Myers]

I don't know too much about "transferece and counter-transference", but I do look at this pretty simple.

You are in a therapeutic relationship with someone helping a shoulder problem. Just as you would see any other health care practitioner, it is a means to getting better.

You may have "feelings" due to the physical nature of massage work, but I encourage clients to acknowledge this as a health care relationship and when you see it like this, I think it is pretty easy to just "go get worked on" without any "transferring" occuring.

Treat this as a place where you can add input to the therapy and add input as necessary. A therapist needs to know when pressure is too much, how the pressure applied feels and then will be able to further make a decision as to what is correct pressure for your situation, and what maybe counter-productive.

Just my 2 cents.