Abstract
The strategic use of transference and countertransference are the cornerstones of
psychotherapeutic work for exploring and understanding the symptomatology of the client.
By its very nature and due to the intersubjectivity of the therapeutic encounter, these
dynamics largely dictate the course of psychotherapy. The interactions of both
psychotherapist and client are considered to be co-created meaning that each party is
influenced by the other. Therefore, transferential interpretations are fundamental to
psychotherapeutic work. Over the last two decades, Ireland has experienced a growing
population of traumatised refugees and asylum seekers. These clients present with many
difficulties which emerge in the therapeutic space which pose transferential issues for the
psychotherapist. This qualitative study illustrates the problematic dynamics that can emerge
via the transference and the psychotherapist’s countertransference. Six experienced
psychotherapists participated in this research which highlighted the prevalence of
transferential issues such as identification, maternal transference dynamics and the
importance of the psychotherapist’s observing ego. This thesis aims to provide therapists who
are working with traumatised refugees or asylum seekers with a deeper understanding of the
transferential issues that can emerge in the work. This purpose of this study is to inform the
contemporary psychotherapist of these challenges due to the lack of research on this topic
from an Irish perspective. The author has included some recommendations for this form of
psychotherapeutic work.
