The Business of Practice

Managing Countertransference with DBT Skills: Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation

Written by Owen Poindexter | Jul 22, 2025 7:30:58 PM

Countertransference, in which a therapist has emotional reactions to a client that hinder their ability to work effectively, is a common but serious challenge for many practitioners. It can happen through a client coincidentally having an issue that resonates with the therapist’s past, or through a more general emotional sensitivity held by the therapist. When countertransference arises, practitioners can use the situation as an opportunity for personal and professional growth, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) provides a path forward to address short-term issues and long-term emotional patterns.