Addressing the elephant in the room: how erotic transference is identified and understood in therapy

The central aim of the current study is to further the understanding of how therapists identify and understand erotic transference in therapy, and how they perceive it to influence the therapeutic processes and alliance. Answers were analyzed thematically using an open-coding analysis. A total of 116 therapists participated in the study reflecting on how erotic transference is experienced in the therapeutic setting. Data analysis yielded three main themes: (1) threat; (2) boundaries; and (3) growth. The threat theme included two subthemes: Threat to the therapeutic process and threat to the therapist’s professional-esteem. Growth also consisted of two subthemes: development of the therapist and opportunity for insight (into the inner world of the patient). The present study subscribes to the idea that erotic transference is a significant aspect of the therapeutic setting and, if addressed appropriately and more comprehensively, can have a great impact on the patient’s healing process.