A counselor experiences strong emotional reactions toward a client that are rooted in the counselor's own past; this is called

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Countertransference is when a counselor’s own unresolved feelings or past experiences trigger emotional reactions toward a client. In this case, the strong feelings arise from the counselor’s history, not from the client’s current behavior, which is why this is countertransference. It’s different from transference, where the client projects feelings about someone from their past onto the therapist. It’s also distinct from projection, where someone attributes their own unacceptable thoughts to others, and from regression, which is reverting to earlier, childlike behaviors under stress. Recognizing countertransference is important because it can bias judgment and affect boundaries, so it’s best addressed through supervision, reflection, and appropriate management to protect the client’s welfare.