Blindspot: An Exploration of Countertransference Reactions and Management of Licensed Counseling Professionals Without Sexuality Training Around Sexuality Topics Raised by Clients

Abstract

In the absence of specific sexuality training, the therapeutic relationship and treatment outcome is often contingent on counseling professionals' ability to manage their own reactions when a sexuality issue arises in therapy. Exploring the multifarious countertransference reactions of counseling professional’s around sexuality issues raised in their client sessions can create safer spaces for both the counselor and the client. In this study, in-depth interviews provided insight into how non-sexuality trained licensed counselors respond and manage their reactions when clients disclose sexuality issues. The data collected revealed clinically relevant information that demonstrated how the absence of sexuality education affects countertransference reactions to sexuality-related issues raised a session. This study also contributed to understanding how non-sexuality trained licensed counselors’ sexological worldviews emerge through social and cultural life experiences and how these elicit a variety of countertransference reactions. The findings delivered insights into non-sexuality trained licensed counselors countertransference awareness and management and provided clinically relevant information for advancing the larger counseling community.