Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Two aspects of countertransference-namely, the countertransference reaction and empathic understanding-must be distinguished. The term countertransference should be reserved exclusively for the conscious reactions of the analyst emerging from the preconscious by virtue of the patient's current transferences; the term empathy should be used to denote a perspective whereby the analyst employs current countertransference reactions for an understanding of the patient's inner life.
Zepf et al. (Mon,) studied this question.