The Therapist Experience of Being the Target of Hostile Versus Suspected-Unasserted Client Anger: Factors Associated with Resolution

Abstract

The authors qualitatively studied 13 therapists' recollections of 12 hostile and 13 suspected-unasserted client anger events. The trigger for all anger events was a disliked therapist action or inaction. Therapists had more difficulty with hostile than suspected-unasserted client anger. Factors associated with resolution of hostile anger events were a lack of problematic client behaviors, therapists turning negative feelings outward, a goal of connecting with clients, therapists exploring the anger with clients and explaining their behaviors, and therapists conceptualizing the anger as being due to problems in the therapeutic relationship rather than to client personality problems. Factors associated with resolution in suspected-unasserted anger events were a good therapeutic relationship and therapists trying to help clients gain insight and explore the anger. Implications are given for practice and research.