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PDF (PhD Thesis) - UWE Research Repository - University of the ...

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―<strong>the</strong> main features <strong>of</strong> both transference and counter-transference<br />

are <strong>the</strong> intensity <strong>of</strong> feelings experienced by a person toward a<br />

notable o<strong>the</strong>r, feelings that are unfitting to <strong>the</strong> current situation‖<br />

(p.15)<br />

Transference is an unconscious process (Jones 2004) and Hawkins and<br />

Shohet (2000 p.209) describe it as: ―seeing a present situation /<br />

relationship through <strong>the</strong> emotional lens <strong>of</strong> a past situation/relationship‖.<br />

While <strong>the</strong>y describe counter-transference as: ―<strong>the</strong> responses <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

counsellor or psycho<strong>the</strong>rapist to <strong>the</strong>ir patient/client, both conscious and<br />

unconscious‖ (ibid p.206).<br />

In my Masters‘ research I had proposed transference/counter-transference<br />

happened between a nurse and patient in some close relationships where<br />

strong emotions, such as anxiety and anger were present. Clearly, <strong>the</strong>re is<br />

an emotional aspect to nursing. Nurses <strong>of</strong>ten find <strong>the</strong>mselves in difficult<br />

situations where patients and significant loved ones experience extreme<br />

emotional responses as a consequence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir illnesses. I asked <strong>the</strong><br />

nurses looking after Mary whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y ever noticed if <strong>the</strong>y experienced<br />

<strong>the</strong> same emotions as <strong>the</strong>ir patients might be feeling because I felt this<br />

was happening to me. No-one answered this question. So I went back to<br />

talk about Mary, how did <strong>the</strong>y feel when <strong>the</strong>y looked after her? The staff<br />

nurses said Mary was ―difficult to look after‖ and <strong>the</strong>y felt cross and<br />

frustrated because she wouldn‘t wash or make any effort for her husband.<br />

Yet <strong>the</strong> leap to consider why that might be was missing. It was as though<br />

<strong>the</strong>y took <strong>the</strong> diagnosis <strong>of</strong> depression away from <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> her cancer<br />

and terminal illness. Was <strong>the</strong>re a body and mind split here? There did not<br />

seem to be a holistic view <strong>of</strong> Mary. This brought alive <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> empathy<br />

in reflecting-in-action for me, that is, getting at <strong>the</strong> unexpressed feelings in<br />

<strong>the</strong> moment. If I could empathise with Mary <strong>the</strong>n this understanding <strong>of</strong> her<br />

could be translated into decisions and choices about caring for her needs<br />

in a more appropriate way. But did my own needs and especially my<br />

emotions get in <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> being able to imagine what she might be<br />

feeling?<br />

85

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