Development of countertransference awareness scale for psychological counselors and examination of countertransference levels of psychological counselors

The concept of countertransference is a concept that has entered the literature within the scope of psychoanalytic theories. This situation, which psychological counselors experience from time to time during the psychological counseling process, is a concept that needs to be recognized and resolved during the counseling process. This research has two main purposes. The first aim of the research is to develop a valid and reliable scale that aims to measure the countertransference level of psychological counselors. The second purpose of the research is to examine psychological counselors' countertransference awareness levels within the scope of various demographic variables. Within the scope of the scale development research, a study was conducted with 252 psychological counselors and 200 psychological counselors in order to examine the countertransference level of the psychological counselor to various demographic variables. Within the scope of the study, the Psychological Counselor Countertransference Awareness Scale and the Counselor Skill Scale developed by the researcher were used. Cronbach Alpha coefficient calculations were used in the reliability calculation of the developed scale. For the content validity of the scale, the literature was reviewed, the scale items were written, and expert opinion was sought. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyzes were conducted for criterion-related validity studies. Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used for similar scales validity. SPSS package program was used for data analysis. As a result of the analysis of the data from the first phase of the research, a scale consisting of 22 items and two dimensions was obtained. In the second stage of the research, psychological counselors' countertransference awareness levels were examined according to some demographic variables. There was no significant difference in the countertransference awareness levels of psychological counselors in terms of gender, the mostly worked client group, and the mostly preferred therapy school. A significant difference was found in the countertransference awareness levels of psychological counselors in terms of their professional experience. Key Words: Oppositional Transference, Psychological Counselor