Transference and Countertransference Issues Unique to Long-Term Group Psychotherapy of Adult Women Molested as Children

Abstract

This article discusses transference and countertransference issues associated with long-term, psychodynamic group treatment of adult women molested as children, using the authors' experience from several such groups as clinical data. Survivors' transference reactions toward group members and the therapist are described and examined. The specific effects of race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender of the clients' abuse perpetrators are also explored. The therapists' countertransference reactions to the clients are candidly shared. The authors' manner of addressing these transference and countertransference issues and the relative success of their interventions are discussed.