What does the term 'transference' refer to in psychoanalytic therapy?

The term 'transference' in psychoanalytic therapy refers specifically to the phenomenon where patients unconsciously project feelings, desires, and expectations related to significant figures in their lives—such as parents or other important relationships—onto the therapist. This process is significant because it allows the therapist to gain insight into the patient's emotional world and how it affects their current functioning and relationships. By analyzing these transferred feelings, the therapist and patient can work through unresolved conflicts and gain a deeper understanding of the patient's psyche.

In the context of other options, understanding one’s own emotions better and the development of a therapeutic relationship may occur during therapy but do not specifically capture the essence of transference. Similarly, while therapists may experience countertransference, where they project their own feelings onto the patient, this does not define the concept of transference itself. Thus, the correct interpretation lies in the projection of feelings by the patient onto the therapist rather than any mutual emotional exchange or growth in awareness.