Clinical Topics & Methods Category

Transference, Countertransference and Reenactment in Therapy

1.5 CE Hour
8 members have taken this course
Skip to Course Registration Info

This course has been retired. We regularly update our course catalog to ensure relevance.

Try these categories:

About the Course

No matter what theory or method a clinician works with in therapy, transference still occurs within the interpersonal field between client and therapist. In gaining an understanding of how these phenomena occur in therapy and everyday life, the therapist can more fully attune with their clients, and track important meanings in the work. We will explain these events and illustrate them in terms of how they manifest in therapy. With an eye on boundaries and ethics, we will focus on how to stay “on track” in the midst of these unconscious processes. Discussion will also examine how the therapist can understand and manage his or her countertransference. The therapist will be able to explore these meanings with their clients, both directly and indirectly, in a manner that aids in healing from trauma.

This course is based on the recorded webinar, Transference, Countertransference and Reenactment in Therapy created by Willa Wertheimer, PsyD and Edward Groenendal, MA, LCPC in 2021.

Publication Details

Publication Date: 2021 May 2021

Course Material Authors

Course Material Authors authored the material only, and were not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.

Willa Wertheimer, PsyD

Dr. Willa Wertheimer is a Chicago Native, a graduate of DePaul University with a Psychology Major and Spanish Minor and received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She began her thirty + years of service in Englewood's Chicago Bureau of Mental Health and The Chicago-Read Hospital, both areas serving marginalized and at-risk populations. She quickly developed an interest in working with survivors of trauma, abuse and combat. After joining the ISSTD, she became a regular presenter and educator, and has served on the Board of Directors for 5 years. She has co-presented at ISSTD Annual Conferences since 2009 on topics ranging from phase-oriented therapy to neurological underpinnings of clinical presentations, to the treatment of self-harm. In 2010, she and her husband Ed Groenendal founded The ISSTD Northwest Illinois Component Group and have contributed The System Assessment of Self-Harm (SASH) for helping self-harming clients. Currently, they are working on an article about working with The SASH, and hope to develop a study of its efficacy. Both Ed and Willa enjoy the fellowship and shared ideas of learning communities.

Edward Groenendal, MA, LCPC

Ed Groenendal, a graduate of The Illinois School of Professional Psychology, has been providing psychotherapy services since 2000. Having joined ISSTD at the start of his career, Ed has been an educator and presenter for both ISSTD and ESTD. His presentations at ISSTD conferences included subjects about: Is There a Host in a Client with a Dissociative Identity Disorder, Second Phase of Treatment of Trauma Disorders and Development of Self Reflection and Assessment, Treatment and Underlying Dynamics in Working with Self-Harm.

Course Creator

ISSTD Staff

These questions were created by staff and volunteers at ISSTD.

Target Audience

This course is intended for Behavioral Health professionals. It is appropriate for all levels of knowledge.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Define Transference, Countertransference and Reenactment
  2. 2 Describe situations which reflect these processes
  3. 3 Recognize incidents where these phenomena occur, and interpret some of their possible meanings

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Material Authors

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Course Creator

ISSTD Staff – There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

Use our CE Approvals tool to look up your state requirements and how can help you meet them, or log in to your member account to show approvals relevant to your licensure.

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

1.5 CE credit hour
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
CE Learning Systems has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5951. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE Learning Systems is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 1.5 NBCC hour(s) awarded.
More Info
Logo: Approved Education Provider - NBCC

Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation - MFT (IDFPRMFT)

1.5 CE credit hour
Eligible until Dec 30th, 2026
CE-credit.com's distant learning courses are available for continuing education as required by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. CE Sponsor #168.000251.
More Info
Course Materials

Paid material

  • Course Material

    Enroll and start the course to view these materials.

  • References

Exam Questions

All exam questions for the course are visible on this page for members of Impact CE.

Membership is free, and you can register today! You'll only pay when you're ready to purchase a course, or if you take advantage of the Unlimited Package.

If you're already a member, please sign in to see the exam questions for this and all other courses.

Discuss this course

You can share your thoughts about this course after you pass the exam.

Sign In or Register to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most likely. Look Up Your State Board for more detailed information. Logged-in site members will see the relevant approval information displayed in the Approvals tab for every course.

If you are having trouble using Impact CE, please contact us! We would be happy to accommodate your needs right away, and your input will help us make Impact CE more accessible for future users too.

Use the Enroll In This Course button and just follow the instructions! You don't pay anything until you're ready to take an exam.

To complete the course, review the course objectives, then review the material, and then pass the exam with a score of 75% or greater and lastly complete an evaluation.

Most of our self-paced courses are based on online articles available for free to the public. Some courses, such as those based on books, require that you purchase the material. Use the Materials tab for more info. Live courses simply require that you attend.

Your certificate(s) will be available to download or email immediately when you pass the course exam and complete the evaluation.

Yes! Use the Help widget at the bottom-right of the screen anywhere on Impact CE to search our help docs, or to ask our support team for help. Unlike most of our competitors, Impact CE has live US-based support reps to help you by email, chat, or phone.

Start your CE Journey now - complete your first course today, on us.

Try for free - no commitment required.

Start a Free Trial Course

Continuing Education

Copyright © 2026 CE Learning Systems LLC

Please Confirm