The body of the therapist speaks in numerous ways in the psychotherapy session. Common experiences such as headaches, nausea, aches, pains, sleepiness, sexual arousal, dizziness and trembling can provide unique material relevant to the inner world of the client patient and the psychotherapy relationship evolving between therapist and client. These physical manifestations are known as somatic countertransference, a form of countertransference positioned as an embodied, physical manifestation in the therapist’s body. Current interest in somatic countertransference spans from the psychoanalytic, post Jungian, dance movement and humanistic modalities of treatment to recent empirical studies originating from the trauma research field. Whilst the clinical literature emphasises the therapeutic relevance and richness of somatic countertransference for understanding unconscious communications emanating from the client, trauma research advocates greater self awareness and management of somatic countertransference to prevent therapist burnout.
This paper is a brief overview of current ideas and theories about working with somatic countertransference and its implications for clinical practice. In addition, results from a cross-cultural study of Chinese psychotherapists ‘experiences of somatic countertransference provides interesting clinical examples to illustrate new ideas and ways to work and manage somatic countertransference. The paper provides current knowledge in the area of somatic countertransference, an assessment of its cross-cultural relevance and practical ways to work with this material for increased therapeutic insight and self-prevention of therapist’s burnout.
