Utilizing Mindfulness Strategies to Manage Negative Countertransference and Feelings of Dislike While Working With Children Exhibiting Externalized Behaviors

Maintaining therapeutic presence and therapeutic alliance is essential for effective treatment and positive client outcomes. However, working with children exhibiting externalized behaviors can be challenging, thus maintaining therapeutic presence can be difficult if the counselor is experiencing negative countertransference or feelings of dislike toward clients. This article provides (a) a review of literature on the potential consequences of feelings of dislike toward clients; (b) rationale for using mindfulness strategies to combat negative countertransference and its neurological mechanisms that influence therapeutic presence and therapeutic alliance; and (c) specific recommendations for implementing mindfulness strategies.