Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Therapist Development Center Practice Exam

Which of the following describes a potential theme in projective identification?

1. Displacement of emotions onto others

2. A client projecting their own issues onto the therapist

3. A client feeling manipulated by someone else

4. Receiving emotional feedback from others

The correct answer is: A client projecting their own issues onto the therapist

The chosen response highlights an important aspect of projective identification, which involves an intricate psychological process where an individual projects their own feelings or issues onto another person, typically in a subconscious manner. In this context, when a client projects their own internal struggles, such as feelings of inadequacy or anger, onto the therapist, they may influence the therapist's emotional state or responses. This process goes beyond mere projection; it often leads to a dynamic exchange where the recipient (the therapist) may unconsciously take on the projected feelings. Projective identification is significant in therapeutic settings because it can illuminate patterns of behavior and emotional responses that the client may not be fully aware of. Through this lens, the therapist can gain insights into the client’s psyche and the relational dynamics at play, facilitating deeper exploration in therapy. Other options describe behaviors or processes that are not specific to projective identification. The first option refers to a broader concept of displacement in which emotions are shifted from one object to another, rather than engaging in a relational dynamic. The third choice touches upon feelings of being manipulated, which, while possibly relevant in relational dynamics, does not encapsulate the mutuality inherent in projective identification. Lastly, receiving emotional feedback is a different process that might occur in therapy but