Which term describes the therapist's emotional response to the client's transference?

• A. Transference
• B. Countertransference
• C. Projection
• D. Counterdependency

Answer: (B)

Countertransference is the therapist’s emotional response to the client’s transference. In therapy, clients may project feelings about important people onto the therapist, and the therapist’s own emotions—anger, sympathy, attraction, frustration, etc.—arise in reaction to that transferential material. Recognizing and managing countertransference is important because it can influence judgments and decisions in sessions, and when acknowledged, it can be used to understand the client’s internal world and strengthen boundaries. By contrast, projection is when the client attributes their own feelings to someone else, not the therapist’s reaction, and counterdependency refers to dynamics around dependence that aren’t describing the therapist’s emotional response to transference.