Which term describes a client's tendency to project past emotional feelings onto the counselor?

The correct term that describes a client's tendency to project past emotional feelings onto the counselor is transference. Transference occurs when clients unconsciously redirect emotions and feelings they originally experienced in relationships with significant figures from their past, such as parents or friends, onto their counselor. This phenomenon allows clients to express unresolved conflicts and emotions within the therapeutic setting, which can be valuable for their healing and personal growth.

Transference is a crucial concept in psychotherapy as it helps to uncover the underlying issues affecting a client's emotional and mental well-being. Understanding and navigating transference can enhance the therapeutic alliance and provide deeper insights into the client’s behavior and experiences.

In contrast, counter-transference refers to the counselor's emotional reactions to the client, which is not relevant in this context. Reaction formation signifies a psychological defense mechanism where a person behaves in a manner opposite to their true feelings, and sublimation involves channeling unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable actions. These concepts do not specifically describe the client's projection of feelings onto the counselor as transference does.