Summary
Although no therapist likes to be the object of intense anger in groups, group therapists in training particularly struggle with how to therapeutically deal with its expression, especially as it produces strong countertransference reactions, interferes with their expectations to be helpful and compassionate, and threatens their self-esteem with feelings of shame and failure. Broadening the definition of counter-transference to include both objective, or realistic elements of the therapist's reactions to the personality of the patient, as well as the subjective elements stemming from the therapist's own neurotic and narcissistic needs, offers supervisors a broader framework and repertoire of techniques for aiding supervisees in the exploration of countertransference. Thus the supervisory focus can be on countertransference exploration as both a potential impediment to treatment, as well as a powerful tool for furthering the therapeutic work in group. The advantages and dilemmas inherent in supervisor and supervisee participation as co-therapists in a psychotherapy group are discussed.