Whiteness and Countertransference: Implications of a Cultural Complex in the Psychotherapeutic Environment

Abstract

This work is about the unconscious racial stereotypes. As a Jungian analyst, the author of this work is interested in examining the possible interference of structural racism in clinical practice. Interviews were conducted with White and Black analysts about their Black and White patients respectively. What are the possible developments in transference and countertransference relationships, the implications for the individuation process of the Black patient who seeks help from a White analyst, the possibilities that whiteness (as a relation of power and advantage in a racialized society) in training institutes contribute to the deconstruction of the status quo? The author demonstrates that racism is present and interferes in the psychotherapeutic environment. The proposal is that analysts become aware of this cultural complex. Reflections on whiteness in analytical psychology and possible contributions from training institutes were also made with the desire to reimagine new relations of affection among its members.