Abstract
Introduction: In abortion counselling, the counsellor is generally supposed to be supportive, non-judgmental and neutral. However, counsellors can be confronted with strong internal emotions i.e., counter-transference reactions. Counter-transference may paralyse a counsellor’s investigation and push the counsellor to lose their position of neutrality.
Objective: The objective of this article is to show counsellors the importance of integrating counter-transference in abortion counselling to increase the efficacy of their investigation and to maintain a neutral position.
Method: A systematic search of the literature was performed. The studies retained for review had to discuss certain aspects of abortion counselling interview techniques, specifically maintaining neutrality and dealing with countertransference.
Results: Eight studies matched our criteria. All studies stressed the danger of losing neutrality for the counsellor. A few authors suggested paying attention to this non-conscious process to better help patients.
Conclusions: We propose applying the psychoanalytical theory on neutrality and counter-transference to the abortion counselling setting. A cognitive awareness of counter-transference feelings may help the counsellor to understand the non-conscious transference-counter-transference dynamic and to use the moment when neutrality is lost to improve the patients comprehension of ambivalence.
Keywords: Abortion counselling, ambivalence, neutrality, counter-transference, Abortion, psychoanalytical, termination of pregnancy, legalisation of abortion, embryo, counselling techniques, counsellor, patient-counsellor dyad, gynaecologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, transfero-countertrasference dynamic, counsellor-patient interaction, psychotherapeutical encounter, doctor-patient relationship, psychoanalyst, therapist's attitude, sadistic patient, Pines' observations, contraceptive pill, psychotherapy, non-conscious processes, Psychoanalytical literature, participating Ego, geneticists, psychological vulnerability, legal abortion, Unplanned pregnancies
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RARE CASES IN GYNECOLOGY-OBSTETRICS
With the development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques (such as ART techniques) and the immersion of new pathologies (such as COVID19), we are witnessing an increase in the incidence of pathologies that were previously described as rare or exceptional. the practitioner sometimes confronts difficult situations in these cases in diagnostic ...read more
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