What is the difference between idealising transference and mirroring transference?

Answer: This is essentially a highly technical question concerning Kohutian, Self Psychology, terminology. It encompasses some of the functions of the "self object" concept in relationship to therapeutic transferences. I could not do the explanation justice in a short answer and even so, it would doubtless be of scant interest to most of the readers. Therefore, I would recommend you wade through "The Kohut Seminars on Self Psychology with Adolescents and Young Adults", edited by Miriam Elson ISBN 0-393-7041-0 James Masterson uses the concepts in his self and object relations methodology extensively and maybe you could avail yourself of some of his books for some interesting descriptions and applications.

Answer provided by David White, Psychotherapist

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