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Transference in psychoanalytic theory is when you project feelings about someone else onto your therapist. A classic example of transference is when a client falls in love with their therapist. However, one might also transfer feelings of rage, anger, distrust, or dependence.

While transference is typically a term for the mental health field, it can manifest in daily life when the brain tries to comprehend a current experience by examining the present through the past. Here we explore the definition of transference in greater detail and the different types.

What Is Transference in Psychotherapy?

Transference, in general, is “the process of moving something or someone from one place, position, etc. to another.” However, the psychology-based definition of transference is a bit different and applies directly to those engaged in mental health therapy.

In this context, transference is defined as a projection of one’s unconscious feelings onto their therapist. The American Psychological Association explains that these feelings are ones that were originally directed toward important figures in the person’s childhood, such as their parents.

Types of Transference

Transference is a complex phenomenon and can sometimes be an obstacle to therapy. Based on their feelings, the client may feel tempted to cut off the relationship with their therapist altogether, for instance. Or they might become sullen and withdrawn during therapy sessions, impeding their progress.

Working through transferred feelings is an important part of psychodynamic therapy. The nature of the transference can provide important clues to the client’s issues, while working through the situation can help resolve deep-rooted conflicts in their psyche.

There are three types of transference in therapy:

• Positive transference
• Negative transference
• Sexualized transference

Positive Transference

Transference can sometimes be a good thing. An example of positive transference is when you apply enjoyable aspects of your past relationships to the relationship with your therapist. This can have a positive outcome because you see your therapist as caring, wise, and concerned about you.

The benefits of positive transference can be seen in a case study involving a child with autism. Once positive transference started to occur, the young boy’s bond with the therapist started to strengthen and he began following the therapist’s directions, reduced his aggressive behaviors, and his learning abilities developed.

Negative Transference

Negative transference involves the transfer of negative emotions to the therapist. Anger and hostility are two emotions that might have been felt in childhood, either toward a parent or other important individual, then reappearing in the therapeutic relationship.

Negative transference sounds bad but actually can enhance the therapeutic experience. Once realized, the therapist is able to use this transference as a topic of discussion, further examining the client’s emotional response.

Sexualized Transference

Do you feel attracted to your therapist? If so, you might be experiencing sexualized transference, also sometimes referred to as erotic transference. Feelings that fall under sexualized transference include those that are:

• Intimate and sexual
• Reverential or feelings of worship
• Romantic and sensual

Some research suggests that sexualized transference may be more common for members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially if the person has few friends or others they can trust or confide in.

Counter-Transference

Mental health therapists must also be aware of the possibility that their own feelings and internal conflicts could be transferred to the client as well. This process is known as counter-transference and can muddy the therapeutic relationship.

Despite the negative connotation of counter-transference, some psychotherapists use it in therapeutic ways. The therapist may choose to disclose their feelings if a client mentions that they seem angry, for instance, first crediting the client with recognizing this emotion and then working together to understand how much of the response may have been projected by the client.

Examples of Transference in Therapy

What does transference look like in a therapeutic setting? Here are a few examples to consider.

Example of Positive Transference

Tony’s mother was always loving and supportive. Tony has a female therapist and projects these same feelings on her, considering her as a loving, supportive individual as well.

Example of Negative Transference

Michelle became very angry with her therapist when he discussed the possibility of homework activities. Through the exploration of her anger with the therapist, Michelle discovered that she was experiencing transference of unresolved anger toward an authoritarian elementary school teacher.

Example of Sexualized Transference

As therapy progresses, Chris develops sexual feelings toward the therapist. Chris has even had erotic fantasies involving the therapist, sometimes also saying flirtatious things during the therapy session.

Discussing Transference With Your Therapist

If your therapist recognizes that you are experiencing transference, they may not want to discuss it right away. It will, however, be necessary to address the transference at some point because if the topic is avoided, it could lead to an impasse in therapy and negatively impact your relationship with your therapist.

Additional consequences of avoiding transference are that you, the client, may:

• Become embarrassed, uncomfortable, and withdraw from therapy emotionally
• Experience higher levels of stress during therapy sessions due to how you feel
• Regress, which can negate some of the positive progress you already achieved

Talking about the transference when both you and the therapist are ready can help resolve these issues, enhancing the therapeutic process.

Transference-Focused Therapy

Transference-focused therapy is a type of therapy used to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD is a personality disorder characterized by unstable emotions, moods, behaviors, and relationships.

Once a therapist and client establish a trusting therapeutic relationship, they work to explore behavior patterns, thoughts, and emotions to better understand how the individual responds and copes. As people become more aware of these destructive patterns, they can work to build more effective skills and interactions.

Therapists also utilize transference in other types of psychotherapy. For example, transference is a key component of psychodynamic therapy, but it can also incorporated in other approaches, including relational therapy, integrative therapy, and eclectic therapy. 

A euphoric mood is characterized by feelings of strong happiness, excitement, and well-being. It is an amplified sense of pleasure that can have a number of different causes.

Some causes of euphoric moods are natural and healthy. The thrill and sense of excitement you get on a roller coaster at an amusement park, or the sense of joy and fulfillment you experience after you reach an important goal are both examples of natural euphoric moods.

Natural euphoric moods can sometimes be produced by things such as aerobic exercise, sex, and love. Long-distance runners, for example, describe experiencing what is known as a “runner’s high,” which is characterized by pleasant feelings of euphoria.

But euphoric moods are not always a positive thing. Sometimes feelings of euphoria can be a symptom of a mental health condition. In other instances, people take psychoactive drugs to experience the rush of a euphoric mood.

Signs of a Euphoric Mood

When you are experiencing a euphoric mood, it can feel extremely joyful and pleasurable. When you are in a euphoric state, you may feel safe, supported, and carefree. You may experience a strong sense of well-being and a feeling that you are deeply connected to others and the rest of the world.

These feelings are a normal part of life, and help to motivate people towards healthy behaviors and human flourishing. However, sometimes these feelings are hijacked by substances or experienced along with other symptoms of mental illness.

Sometimes euphoric moods associated with psychiatric conditions or drug use can also be accompanied by other symptoms including:

Types of Euphoric Moods

Some specific types of euphoric moods include:

• Disorder-induced euphoric moods: There are a number of mental health conditions that can cause euphoric moods including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and some brain disorders.
• Substance-induced euphoric moods: Drugs that have euphoric effects activate the brain’s reward system, which reinforces their use and makes them addictive. Some substances that produce feelings of euphoria include LSD, psilocybin, cocaine, methamphetamines, ecstasy (MDMA), ketamine, some benzodiazepines, heroin, codeine, fentanyl, and marijuana.
• Medication-induced euphoric moods: Prescription medications may also produce euphoric effects. This can include prescription opioid pain relievers, nitrous oxide, alprazolam, and clonazepam. Research suggests that prednisone, a corticosteroid, may cause euphoric moods in some individuals.
• Activity-induced euphoric moods: Euphoria can also result from natural rewards and from social activities. The effect of endorphins is maximized by activities that are synchronized with other humans such as performing music for people, exercising with others, laughing with a friend, or having sex or being in love with someone.

Impact of Euphoric Moods

Euphoria is one of the most pleasant mental states, but it is this extreme pleasure that can make it problematic when it is the result of an addictive drug. Once people take a substance and experience feelings of euphoria, they want to experience this feeling again. 

Psychoactive substances produce a “surge” of endorphins and other neurotransmitters in the brain’s reward circuit. Endorphins are released naturally when we experience enjoyable things, such as engaging in a creative activity.

However, drugs produce a higher level of endorphins than we normally produce on our own. These high levels of endorphins create pleasurable sensations that make us feel euphoric.

As time goes on, people need to take more and more of a drug to feel its effects at all. Not taking the drug can lead to withdrawal symptoms and feelings of dysphoria.

Treatment for Euphoric Mood

Euphoria is a pleasant emotional state and is not a mental health condition on its own, but it can sometimes be a symptom or sign of a mental health condition. 

The treatment for your underlying condition that is causing the euphoric mood depends on the nature of the condition. Your doctor or therapist may recommend psychotherapy, but some conditions may also require the use of medications to help control symptoms.

In many cases, your specific treatment plan may involve a combination of therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and social support.

How to Experience Euphoric Moods Naturally

Using substances to achieve euphoric moods is risky and can lead to addiction and overdose in some cases. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to experience euphoric moods without the use of mind-altering substances.

A natural high, on the other hand, can help boost your overall sense of well-being. These experiences are akin to what the humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow referred to as “peak experiences.”

Some things you can try to increase your chances of experiencing a “natural high” include the following listed below.

Exercise

Physical exercise triggers the release of feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters including endorphins, adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin.

Endorphins are neurotransmitters that reduce feelings of pain and increase feelings of pleasure and well-being. Research has found that engaging in moderate-intensity exercise can increase your endorphin levels.

For example, runners sometimes experience a “runner’s high” caused by the combined effects of adrenaline and other neurotransmitters. Exercise is also linked to many positive mental health benefits, including decreasing depression, boosting cognition, and improving overall mood.

Humor

A good laugh isn’t just fun or entertaining—it can actually be good for your mental health. Research has shown that laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which can help put you in a happier, more euphoric state.

Meditation

People who meditate regularly experience greater relaxation and less stress. Research also suggests that the practice can boost endorphin levels in the body.

Evidence also suggests that even a brief daily meditation can have a positive effect on mood. If you want to start a daily meditation practice, set aside 10 to 15 minutes a day.

Socialize

Spending time with other people can also contribute to increased mood. Research has found that having social support is critical to emotional well-being. It boosts overall health and reduces the risk of loneliness. Spending time with friends can also just help you feel good.

Volunteering

Doing good things for others can help you feel more connected to other people. It’s a great way to experience a sense of community and experience improved moods naturally.

Participating in volunteering activities improves mental health, physical health, and social well-being. It also decreases symptoms of depression and improves overall life satisfaction.