Which of the following best defines countertransference?

Countertransference refers to the therapist's emotional responses and feelings that arise in relation to their client during therapy. It is crucial for therapists to recognize and understand these feelings, as they can significantly impact the therapeutic relationship and process. When a therapist experiences countertransference, their personal emotions, unresolved issues, or biases about the client may influence their perceptions, behaviors, and effectiveness in therapy. This phenomenon can manifest in various ways, from over-identification with the client to feelings of frustration or affection, all of which affect how the therapist interacts with the client and addresses their needs.

The other options focus on different aspects of the therapeutic dynamic. For instance, emotional projections from the client onto the therapist highlight the client's perspective but do not capture the therapist's internal emotional landscape and its relevance. Objective processing of client feelings emphasizes a neutral stance that is an ideal therapeutic goal but does not account for the inevitable emotional reactions a therapist may have. Likewise, a client expressing unresolved issues from the past pertains more to transference, wherein the client's past experiences affect their current emotional reactions and behaviors rather than speaking to the therapist's emotional influence. Hence, the definition of countertransference correctly encompasses how a therapist's feelings can inform and impact the therapeutic environment.