Clinician military background: Hidden influence on countertransference and burnout in treatment of military clients

Since clinicians in trauma work are likely to encounter aggression, angry outbursts, profound despair, blaming, mistrust, and a variety of other transferential reactions with their clients, the clinician's own countertransference responses become critical to the therapeutic process. Clinically-based anecdotal literature suggests that clients with combat trauma present mental health professionals with special countertransference challenges. However, no empirical research exists regarding mental health professionals' reactions to modern combat trauma clients. This is especially true for any type of research about clinicians' own military experiences and professional background. In this study, the researcher identified characteristics of mental health professionals working with military clients, and levels of provider countertransference and burnout. The variables examined were the relationship among various therapist demographic factors; clinician personal military background and perceived combat exposure; professional background and experience; clinicians' countertransference and burnout scores; perceived levels of awareness; commonality; and disclosure with military-connected clients. Countertransference responses were measured using the Assessment of Countertransference Scale-Trauma version (ACS; de Moura Silviera, Polanczyk, Hauck, Eizirik, & Freitas Ceitlin, 2011). Burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion satisfaction were measured by the Professional Quality of Life-V (Pro-QOL; Stamm, 2010). Participants (N = 212) were solicited through electronic professionally-related social media networks. The researcher obtained demographic data and conducted layered analyses to investigate correlations between therapist factors and clinician scores on countertransference and burnout measures. Results of the regression indicated that negative countertransference reactions and increased clinician self-awareness were predictors of burnout. The researcher discussed possible implications for the field of Marriage and Family Therapy, particularly educators and supervisors, regarding countertransference and burnout (as a factor of professional quality of life) and presented several avenues for future research with this clinician population.