Countertransference: Friend or Foe?

This workshop explores countertransference as an inevitable and clinically useful aspect of counselling work. We’ll examine classic and contemporary understandings of countertransference and how it shows somatically, emotionally, relationally, and behaviorally in both individual and group contexts. Attention will be given to how countertransference can emerge differently across roles, relational positions, and group dynamics, and how it can be used as a source of clinical information rather than something to be avoided or shut down.

Why it’s important
Countertransference is one of the primary instruments of clinical work — yet it’s often under-discussed, pathologized, or addressed only when something has gone wrong. Developing awareness of countertransference supports ethical practice, strengthens therapeutic alliances, and helps counsellors work more effectively with complexity, intensity, and rupture.

Who it’s suited for
This workshop is well-suited for counsellors, clinical supervisors, and advanced trainees across modalities, given the pervasive role of countertransference in therapeutic relationships.

What participants will walk away with
Participants will leave with:

Greater ease and confidence in talking about countertransference in clinical supervision

A clearer, normalized understanding of countertransference

Increased awareness of their own countertransference signals

Practical ways to work with countertransference rather than against it

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:

Dr. John Sherry has over 25 years of experience as a clinician and his academic and clinical work has focused on couple, family, and group therapy along with clinical supervision in these areas. John was instrumental in implementing couple, family and group counselling at UNBC’s training clinic, and has facilitated numerous process groups for graduate students and professionals in the community. His research interests tend to center around counsellor training and development with a special interest in experiential approaches to teaching and clinical supervision. More specifically, he is interested in the attachment styles of group co-facilitators and the ways in which counsellors use countertransference in their work. John was the President of the Prince George Chapter of the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association (CGPA) as well as co-president of the National CGPA (2019-2020) and as an RCC serves on several committees with BCACC including membership services, conference planning, and the clinical supervision committee.