Which term refers to a counselor projecting their own emotional feelings onto a client?

The term that refers to a counselor projecting their own emotional feelings onto a client is counter-transference. This phenomenon occurs when a counselor's personal emotional responses and experiences, often stemming from their own unresolved issues, interfere with their ability to interact objectively and effectively with the client.

In a therapeutic context, it's crucial for counselors to maintain awareness of their emotional reactions to clients and to distinguish these from the client's experiences. Recognizing and managing counter-transference is essential as it can influence the therapeutic relationship, potentially leading to biased perceptions or responses towards the client.

Understanding counter-transference helps counselors remain focused on the client's needs rather than allowing their own feelings to dominate the therapeutic environment, ensuring that the counseling process remains productive and beneficial for the client.