| Countertransference feelings and thoughts are inevitable in the therapeutic relationship and can enhance the therapist's understanding of the client. Conversely, unresolved conflicts from the therapist's background may result in countertransference behavior negatively impacting treatment. The majority of research efforts studying countertransference and self-awareness in child psychotherapy consist of case studies and analogue research.;The purpose of this study was to explore several variables related to countertransference management among play therapists. The nine variables examined included therapist gender, academic degree, license, theoretical orientation, type of supervision, population served, practice setting, play therapy training, and experience. A demographic survey and the Countertransference Factors Inventory-Revised (CFI-R) were sent to 465 Registered-Play Therapist Supervisors who were asked to complete the material regarding the last supervisee with whom they conducted supervision. One hundred and seventy-two responses were returned for an overall response rate of 37%. Of these, one hundred and fifty-four scoreable inventories were received and the data analyzed (33%).;A moderate positive correlation of 53% was found between play therapy training and countertransference management. A low positive correlation of 27% was found between years of experience and countertransference management. Differences were found among groups in the areas of degree, license, and practice setting. Individuals with a Masters Degree in Psychology possessed more effective countertransference management than subjects with a Masters Degree in Divinity or Pastoral Counseling. Subjects possessing a license as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) had greater countertransference management than unlicensed subjects. Individuals employed in an inpatient setting demonstrated higher countertransference management ability than their counterparts working in an outpatient agency setting, day treatment, or residential program. No significant findings were obtained for gender, theoretical orientation, population served, and type of supervision. The study provides recommendations and implications for supervision of developing therapists, and suggestions for future research in the area of countertransference among child therapists. |
