Contemporary psychoanalysis is characterized by a diversity of models, theories and techniques which were unknown in the past. Some psychoanalytic authors identify a possible common ground in countertransference. This paper presents a descriptive and historical review of the development of the concept of countertransference, focusing on a well defined trend, starting with the original contribution by Freud up to those Independents analysts of the British Psychoanalytic Society who gave - and continue to give - a fundamental contribution in expanding the discussion, necessary for scientific development, on the theoretical and clinical aspects of countertransference.