The concepts of transference and countertransference are reviewed and applied tothe consultation process. It is argued that these concepts offer a framework fromwhich to view some of the strong emotional reactions that occur between nurses andpatients. Although both of these concepts arose from psychoanalytical theory, therole of the consultation-liaison nurse is substantively different from that of the psychoanalyst. Examples are offered to demonstrate the application of these concepts to the consultation process. (J AM PSYCHIATR NURSES Assoc [1995]. 1, 42-47)
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