Countertransference and the reputedly excellent therapist.

Abstract

STEVEN L. VAN WAGONER CHARLES J. GELSOJEFFREY A. HAYES ROBERTA A. DIEMERUniversity of MarylandThe extent to which therapists whowere reputed to be excellent differ fromthe therapists in general is examined,with respect to five qualities theorizedto be important in the management ofcountertransference feelings—self-insight, integration, empathy, anxietymanagement, and conceptualizingability. A sample of experiencedpsychotherapists (n = 122) evaluatedtherapists they selected as excellentsignificantly more positively thantherapists in general on all five of thetheorized qualities. Contrary toexpectation, reputedly excellentpsychodynamic, learning, andhumanistic therapists were generallyrated as equivalent on these theorizedqualities. Reputedly excellentpsychodynamic therapists, however,were rated more favorably thanexcellent humanistic therapists onconceptualizing ability.