Mirror Transference is a form of psychotherapy that uses the reflection of one’s own behavior in order to bring about psychological change. This technique is based on the idea that a person’s behavior and feelings are shaped by their interactions with others. By observing the behavior of the other person, the individual can become aware of how he or she is responding to the other person’s behavior. This awareness can then be used to modify one’s own behavior in order to bring about psychological change.
The concept of mirror transference was first introduced by psychoanalyst Carl Jung in the early twentieth century. Jung believed that the unconscious could be explored and understood through the process of transference. He postulated that an individual’s unconscious thoughts and feelings could be reflected in the behavior of another person. By observing the other person’s behavior, the individual could gain insight into his or her own unconscious thoughts and feelings.
In the past decades, mirror transference has been applied in various forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and interpersonal therapy. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, the therapist helps the individual identify and modify his or her automatic thoughts and behaviors. Through the use of mirror transference, the individual can observe the behavior of the therapist and gain insight into his or her own thoughts and behaviors. In psychodynamic therapy, the therapist helps the individual explore his or her unconscious feelings and motivations. The therapist may use the technique of mirror transference to help the individual become aware of how his or her behavior is shaped by these underlying feelings. In interpersonal therapy, the therapist helps the individual understand how his or her relationships with others are affected by his or her behavior. The therapist may use mirror transference to help the individual become aware of how his or her behavior is affecting his or her relationships.
Mirror transference can be a powerful tool in psychotherapy. By observing the behavior of another person, the individual can become aware of his or her own unconscious thoughts and feelings. This awareness can then be used to modify one’s own behavior in order to bring about psychological change.
References
Gabbard, G. O. (2015). Psychodynamic psychiatry in clinical practice (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Jung, C. G. (1912). The concept of transference. Collected works, 1, 157-162.
Koole, S. L., & Jostmann, N. B. (2009). The psychology of control: How the need for control shapes social life. American Psychological Association.
Pretorius, P., & Koole, S. L. (2010). Mirror transference in psychotherapy: A review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(2), 238-246.