complementary identification

in psychoanalysis, a form of countertransference in which the analyst identifies with a significant object (person) in the patient’s life and experiences the affects that the object would have in relation to the patient. For instance, the patient might project feelings of parental neglect onto the analyst and imply that the analyst is ignoring him or her. This induces feelings of guilt in the analyst, who feels like the rejecting, neglectful parent. Also called complementary countertransference. Compare concordant identification. [introduced by Polish-born Argentinian psychoanalyst Heinrich Racker (1910–1961)]

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Psychology term of the day

May 10th 2024

masking level difference (MLD)

Sorry, "masking-level-difference-mld" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.