Ghost Transferences in Love, Work, Friendship, and Into the Next Generation

Abstract

Abstract Individual clients can bring their sibling transferences to their relationships; one or both spouses can bring them into their marriage. Some people have problems at work with bosses because of these sibling transferences. Therapists can help clients see the connections so they can break free of old patterns and realize why they are frequently disappointed by people or feel betrayed, discounted, taken advantage of, or even emotionally or physically abused. Though clients may be unhappy, they may not be willing to let go of the past and can choose friends where the transferences—positive and negative—are familiar. Finally, the chapter offers a clinical example of how sibling issues get passed down across the generations.