355Exercise 4: Countertransference and Compassion Fatigue
Checklist^1
Place a check in the space to indicate whether you have had this tendency or believe
you might be likely to have this tendency in future genetic counseling work:
I am likely to become overly involved on an emotional level with certain
patients.
Comment:
I might find a number of ways to avoid patients who prompt strong negative
feelings in me.
Comment:
I worry that I may have a strong need to give lots of advice and that I will
manipulate patients to think and act the way I think they should.
Comment:
I might fall back on giving excessive amounts of information to patients in order
to keep the session structured and emotionally safe.
Comment:
I am concerned that I may bring home some patients’ problems, and I will over-
identify with some of my patients.
Comment:
I can imagine myself getting angry and upset over patients who do not appreci-
ate me.
Comment:
I tend to respond very defensively to certain types of people or certain kinds of
remarks.
Comment:
There are some topics I would feel very uncomfortable exploring with patients,
and I am likely to steer away from talking about them.
Comment:
I am afraid that I will feel responsible if a patient does not understand, cannot
make a decision, or makes a bad decision.
Comment:
I worry that I will pity my patients who have disabling or terminal conditions.
Comment:
I am afraid that I would break down and cry with some patients.
Comment:
I usually do whatever I can to avoid negative or angry encounters.
Comment:
(^1) Adapted from Corey et al. ( 1984 ).
12.7 Written Exercises