Countertransference is the emotional charge that the ski pro projects on the skier. It is the unconscious influence based on past experiences, which can be an obstacle for the development of the lesson, especially for those of long duration, or for the normal development of training sessions.
Instructors and coaches are not exempt from transferential relationships. As it can occur in the learner and in the athlete to relive these productions of the psyche in front of the ski pro, they also experience their own transferences related to the skier. Their emotional responses make up an appreciable diagnostic for detecting countertransference, this being an inherent human phenomenon. Although these emotional reactions toward the skier can be made conscious, in order not to feel guilty they may be repressed.
The ski pro must be aware of the possibility of transferring their own feelings and emotions to the skier. In many situations, the skier-professional relationship results in a bidirectional flow of feelings, emotions, and desires, conferring a dynamic particularity to the context in which they meet. For lessons or training sessions to achieve optimal results, the ski pro must not feel disturbed by their own psychological conflicts. He/she must adopt an open mind and be prepared to accompany the skier in affectively distressing situations.
It is a necessary task for the ski pro to overcome their own neurotic traits (emotional insecurity, anticipatory anxiety, constant worry) characteristic, to a greater or lesser degree, of each person. If he/she is of narcissistic tendency, will not tolerate the approaches that the skier makes against their teaching method or training system. If he/she is shy or weak in character, will have difficulty dealing with a skier with strong personality. If he/she is fearful, will not be able to face the skier with a paranoid tendency trait (pattern of distrust and prejudice) in order to assist him/her psychologically.
Every professional can sense that, like every person, is not completely free of defense mechanisms, childish dependencies, or neurotic thoughts. Their feelings are useful indicators to identify other people’s affective states. If the ski pro is connected with his/her own feelings and emotions, this will allow to get signals of what the skier might be going through. If he/she begins to feel affective discomfort, he/she may wonder what caused or what the skier did to generate this state. Thus, countertransference goes from being something conflictive and disturbing to becoming a self-diagnostic tool.
The professional is not affectively neutral in the relationship with the skier since he/she is a sensitive person. Blaming the skier for one’s own emotional reactions is based on clinging to a justification, i.e. claiming that these reactions are caused by the skier himself. The question to ask would be what pre-exists in the ski pro that makes him/her react that way.
It was mentioned that no professional perceives the skier in a neutral way since there is always an emotional and motivational charge. He/she may be in need of affective contact and cover that need by showering his/her learners or athletes with affection, arguing that all people need affection, but this need could divert the purpose of his/her work as an instructor or as a coach.
The two basic signs that can determine countertransference are:
- Feeling unreasonable dislike for the skier: the ski pro should be aware of the presence of countertransference when projecting positive or negative feelings or emotions toward the skier.
- Acting overly emotional or being overly concerned about the skier: the ski pro should be aware if their thoughts or feelings take up considerable time outside of the lesson or training session. While it would be normal to think about the skier after the activity, experiencing strong emotions or obsessive thoughts about him/her signals a psychic conflict.
Countertransference from the ski pro to the skier exists when:
- Projects thoughts and feelings from a past relationship onto someone in the present.
- Allows his/her personal feelings to interfere with the lesson or training session.
- Reveals aspects of his/her personal life causing attention to be directed toward him/her.
- Develops a romantic or a sexual attraction.
- Is overprotective by perceiving the skier as his/her own child.
- Becomes angry if the skier does not practice or train enough because associates him/her with the inaction that their parents had.
- Offers unsolicited advice about his/her affectivity.
- Is overly critical.
- Shows exaggerated sympathy.
- Compares him/her to other people.
- Projects on the personal situation he/she is in.
- Shows disproportionate privilege.
- Compliments the skier inordinately.
- Worries excessively if the skier is late for class or training.
- Displays protective feelings because the skier reminds the ski pro of his/her sister/brother.
Conclusions
- Transference is the subconscious association of one person in the present with another in the past.
- Transference can positively or negatively interfere with the skier-ski pro relationship.
- Countertransference is the projective reaction of the ski pro to the skier.
- Both transference and countertransference can occur in the context of the ski lesson or training sessions and can be hindered if negative feelings or qualities are projected.
