Politics of appearance: Bodily transference and its implications for the counselling relationship

Abstract

This article explores how bodily appearance impacts the psychodynamic transference and countertransference in the counselling relationship. It calls attention to the perplexing silence that pervades the field of psychology with respect to the importance of appearance in counselling. To elucidate these transferences/silences, the author delves into an intimate account of clinical work with a client called “Mrs. C”, highlighting the power of appearance as well as its apparent silence within the field. Tying this with dominant philosophies, this article shows how appearance is political as discourses dictate how a body “should look,” which impacts the way that client and counsellor relate to one another based upon past experiences. The author posits that appearance is a pivotal part of the transference and countertransference for counsellor and client and addresses the potential that congruent discussion of bodies in relationship can start to break the silence that can dictate such relationships.