Transference is a psychological phenomenon in which an individual redirects emotions or feelings, often unconsciously, from one person to another. In therapy, transference refers to a client unknowingly transferring feelings about someone from their past onto the therapist. Transference is multilayered and complex and happens when the brain tries to understand a current experience by examining it through the past. There are three main categories of transference:

• Positive transference: This is when enjoyable aspects of past relationships are projected onto the therapist. This can allow the client to see the therapist as caring, wise, and empathetic, which is beneficial for the therapeutic process.

• Negative transference: This is when negative aspects of past relationships are projected onto the therapist. This can lead to feelings of anger, frustration, or disappointment towards the therapist.

• Erotic transference: This is when a client develops romantic or sexual feelings towards the therapist.

Transference can occur outside of therapy as well, and usually stems from childhood relationships. For example, feeling worried that a current partner is going to cheat on you because an ex-partner did so is an example of transference. Transference-focused therapy is used to treat personality disorders and uses the relationship between the client and therapist as a window into the clients sense of self. In all cases, a therapist should make the client aware of when transference is happening so that they can understand what they are feeling and work towards resolving it.