Countertransference in therapy refers to the therapists emotional reaction towards a client in therapy. This reaction can be conscious or unconscious and can involve positive or negative emotions such as anger, irritation, jealousy, or admiration. Countertransference can be a problem if the therapist is unaware of it and it affects their behavior towards the client. However, modern psychotherapy recognizes that there are also helpful forms of countertransference. Clinicians typically make a distinction between helpful and unhelpful countertransference. Unhelpful countertransference can occur when the therapist transfers to a person in treatment feelings that are misplaced or when a therapist uses a person in therapy to meet personal psychological needs. Examples of unhelpful countertransference include inappropriately disclosing personal information, offering advice, not having boundaries, developing strong romantic feelings towards the client, being overly critical or supportive of the client. It is important for therapists to recognize countertransference and address it properly to prevent it from interfering with therapy.