Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) Practice Test

What approach should a therapist use when a client exhibits transference symptoms related to parental figures?

1. Promote insight into the transference dynamics

2. Redirect the client’s focus to current behaviors

3. Engaging in role reversal exercises

4. Addressing the symptoms as they are experienced

The correct answer is: Promote insight into the transference dynamics

A therapist should promote insight into the transference dynamics when a client exhibits transference symptoms related to parental figures because this approach helps the client understand and make sense of their feelings and reactions in the therapeutic relationship. Transference occurs when clients project feelings, desires, and expectations from significant relationships in their lives, often their parents, onto the therapist. By fostering insight, the therapist encourages the client to explore the underlying emotions and issues that the transference may reveal, which can lead to greater self-awareness and psychological growth. This approach is effective because it allows clients to dissect and comprehend how past experiences with parental figures influence their current thoughts and behaviors. Insight can facilitate healing and lead to reworking maladaptive patterns, making it a foundational element in psychodynamic therapy. While redirecting the client’s focus to current behaviors, engaging in role reversal exercises, or addressing symptoms as they are experienced can be useful strategies in some contexts, they do not specifically target the transference dynamics in a way that promotes deeper understanding and therapeutic change related to the past influences of parental figures. These strategies may overlook the rich emotional content that transference brings to the therapeutic relationship and may not fully utilize the opportunity to help the client interpret their experiences.