According to Watkins, signs of counter-transference in group leaders include

• A. Being non-confrontational
• B. Being protective
• C. Being competitive
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Counter-transference in group leaders shows up when the leader’s own unresolved feelings color how they facilitate the group. Watkins notes several ways this can show up, including taking a non-confrontational stance and avoiding necessary conflict so problematic patterns aren’t challenged, being overly protective of members (especially weaker ones) so accountability and honest feedback are softened or blocked, and even displaying competitiveness with group members or with the group itself, which reveals an underlying need to be in control or to “win” rather than facilitate growth. Each of these is a distinct way the leader’s inner reactions can distort the process, interfere with group dynamics, and hinder members’ work. Because counter-transference can manifest as any of these behaviors, the best choice recognizes that all of them can signal its presence, making “All of the above” the most accurate answer.