What does transference refer to in the context of therapy?

Transference in the context of therapy specifically refers to the phenomenon where a patient projects feelings, attitudes, and expectations from past relationships onto the therapist. This can manifest in various ways, such as the patient seeing the therapist as a parental figure, a mentor, or an authority figure, reflecting unresolved conflicts or emotions from previous significant relationships.

This process can lead to strong emotional reactions, which are crucial for the therapeutic process. By exploring these feelings, the therapist can help the patient gain insight into their relational patterns and emotional responses. This dynamic interaction can provide valuable information about the patient’s internal world and facilitate healing and growth.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of transference. While client feedback about therapy is critical for the therapeutic alliance, it does not encompass the projected feelings from past experiences. Similarly, the notion of the therapist imposing their feelings onto the client or external factors influencing therapy do not align with the specific definition of transference, as they do not involve the client's internal processing of past relationships.