Therapists’ Feelings

Abstract

Abstract Working with siblings may stir up therapists’ own old (recognized and unrecognized) sibling issues. Transference and countertransference are discussed in the context of working with sibling clients. Dealing with anger may be challenging for therapists, and a discussion of several conventional and unconventional techniques is included. Also addressed are mixed feelings after a session of feeling first like the best therapist who’s done a great job and then the worst therapist who has really messed up. The example of a six-session successful therapy is presented; following each session is a summary of what the author learned and ideas for what to address in the following meeting. The chapter concludes with examples of what went wrong in three unsuccessful therapies and a look at the skills necessary for working with siblings.