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Glite Dictionary
transferential

transferential

1 9.3
A situation when a patient treats the therapist like someone from their past
  • adjective
  • /ˌtrænsfərˈɛnʃəl/
  • Specialized
: transferencial
  • In therapy, the patient's transferential feelings towards the therapist can reveal deep-seated emotions.

Examples

  • The psychologist noted that the transferential aspect of the relationship was affecting the patient's treatment.

  • Understanding transferential dynamics is crucial for effective psychotherapy and client progress.

  • Peer counselors need to be aware, and often are not, that transferential messages may be coded in abreaction monologues.

    Academic text (1997)

Surface Forms

transferential positive

Morphology

transferential = transference (semi-transparent) = transfer + ence + ial

The adjective is formed in a regular way from 'transference' (noun) by an adjectival suffix, but 'transference' is a specialised psychological term, so the relation may not be obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Transferential comes from the common word transfer, which means 'to move' something from one place or person to another. In therapy, transferential describes feelings that are 'moved' from a patient onto their therapist, so it means emotions carried across in the relationship.