In this practical Q&A episode with Dr. Jonathan Shedler, the psychodynamic psychotherapy cohort explores working with transference in real time, focusing on timing, technique, and the here-and-now. Shedler addresses how to recognize meaningful transference patterns, decide when an interpretation will open growth versus overwhelm the patient, and adapt the work across levels of personality organization (neurotic versus borderline). The discussion covers handling negative and erotic transference, protecting the therapeutic frame, triangulation, idealization and splitting, devaluation, projection, and projective identification. Clinicians will also learn to use their own countertransference as essential clinical data, the ongoing value of consultation and supervision, and how to respond to chronic reassurance-seeking without colluding. Link to blog Link to YouTube video

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related