OBJECTIVE: To assess therapists' countertransference during initial care of female victims of sexual and urban violence with the aim of investigating influence of therapist's gender, type and moment of trauma. METHODS: The sample comprised 36 reports written by psychiatry residents at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre based on the care provided to 36 patients. This study used qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. Reports were classified into six groups according to therapist's gender and type of trauma. A content analysis and a statistical analysis of the data were performed. RESULTS: Therapists of both genders presented a prevalence of feelings of closeness when providing care to victims of sexual violence. Among female therapists, type of trauma (sexual or urban) did not have an influence on countertransference patterns (p = 0,7). On the other hand, among male therapists, type of trauma had a significant influence (p = 0,044) on countertransference, with a high rate of feelings of distance in reports of care provided to victims of urban violence. CONCLUSIONS: Therapists of both genders presented a prevalence of feelings of closeness when providing initial care to patients victims of sexual violence. Male therapists who provided care to victims of urban violence presented a prevalence of feelings of distance. Further studies are needed for a better understanding of therapeutic relationships in the care of victims of psychic trauma.
Countertransference; sexual violence; urban violence; psychic trauma; psychotherapy
