Publications

Journal Article

Have you ever blown up at a colleague over something small, or burst into tears at work but weren’t sure exactly why? When we overreact, it’s often because of a psychological phenomenon known as “transference.” Basically, our brains are wired to recognize patterns, and there are times when - below our consciousness - the people in our offices remind us of people in our past (often family members).

Transference reactions are not troublesome in moderation. They can create problems, however, when our reactions become excessive. If you’re struggling with a particular colleague or situation, ask yourself if it reminds you of something in your personal history. Discovering the ghosts of past is the first step towards not letting them interfere with life in the present.