The effects of therapist experience and patient diagnosis on countertransference

This study investigated the effects of therapist experience and patient diagnosis on countertransference. A total of 336 therapists completed questionnaires that assessed attitudes regarding emotional reactions in treatment (Experience and Attitude Scale) and reactions to vignettes describing depressed, borderline, and schizophrenic patients (Vignette Rating Scale). Results indicated that, in comparison to experienced clinicians, students and interns/ABDs are more likely to regret saying things to patients, and feel that their emotions are too strong, too frequent, and need to be defended against. Patient diagnosis was found to be significantly related to therapist ratings on 19 of the 20 items on the VRS, with borderline patients evoking the greatest degree of anger and irritation and the least degree of liking, empathy, and nurturance.