title: Transference and countertransference.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The utility of transference and countertransference in professional nursing relationships.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide an introductory text for nurses new to these concepts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature specific to transference and countertransference illustrated by examples related to professional practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transference and countertransference influence relationships in ways that under certain conditions may be unhelpful to all concerned. Understanding how transference and countertransference manifest themselves has implications for the safe structuring of professional relationships.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Visiting, University of Manchester, England. Alun.Jones@man.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alun C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003379:Countertransference; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory; D014167:Transference, Psychology