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Analytic Work (analytic + work)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Psychology100%

Selected Abstracts

On the edge: The psychoanalyst's transference,

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOANALYSIS, Issue 5 2007
Aira Laine
Countertransference is a central topic in analytic work and in the literature. The concept of countertransference includes a basic question which has been understood in different ways. The author attempts to differentiate between the psychoanalyst's transference and his countertransference in the analytic process. It is hard to draw a line between them; analysts are always on the edge. The analyst's transference will be explored and described using three approaches: narcissism, regression profile and the analyst's phase of life. Regression profile is a new concept developed by the author, which may help us to understand the core of the analyst's transference in the analytic situation. She illustrates the topic by clinical vignettes. [source]

The myths of free association and the potentials of the analytic relationship

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOANALYSIS, Issue 1 2006
IRWIN Z. HOFFMAN
The author challenges the traditional and still prevalent view of ,free association', arguing that it entails three forms of denial (also formulated in terms of corresponding myths): 1) denial of the patient's free agency; 2) denial of the patient's and the analyst's interpersonal infl uence; and 3) denial of the patient's share of responsibility for co-constructing the analytic relationship. That responsibility includes some degree of consideration of the analyst's needs. Sometimes, the patient's good judgment to that end may be refl ected in what is automatically and mistakenly reduced to a form of ,resistance'. Attention to the patient's responsibility must be balanced against the effort to provide a uniquely safe environment for the patient's revealing of shame and anxiety-ridden feelings and attitudes. But the therapeutic action of psychoanalysis, ideally, includes the cultivation, through lived experience, of the dialectical interplay of self-expression, on the one hand, and caring relational engagement, on the other. Recognition of the patient's free agency does not preclude exploration of constraining structures laid down in the past. On the contrary, it deepens such exploration. At the same time, it opens the door to the possibility of explicit recognition, via challenge, criticism, or affi rmation, of the patient's contributions to the analytic work. [source]

THE ANALYST AT WORK: TWO SESSIONS WITH ALBA

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOANALYSIS, Issue 4 2002
Stefano Bolognini
In this paper, the author presents clinical material that relates to two sessions with a patient called Alba. This analytic work, being of a somewhat unusual character, lends itself to discussion, the author feels, since the technical choices made are undoubtedly very personal and he believes many colleagues might have done things differently. The author endeavours to enrich the account of the sessions with his concomitant thoughts, so as to supply colleagues with the elements, atmosphere and developments of his internal workshop. [source]

THE EXTERNAL OBSERVER AND THE LENS OF THE PATIENT-ANALYST MATCH

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOANALYSIS, Issue 2 2002
Judy L. Kantrowitz
A focus on the match between patient and analyst places attention on the dynamic effect of the interaction of character and conflict of both participants on the process that evolves between them. Match is neither a predictive nor static concept. Rather it refers to an unfolding transaction that itself shifts and changes during the course of analytic work. The treating analyst's perception of the effect of this match is by necessity limited by the analyst's own blind spots and other countertransference phenomena. Reporting the analyst's clinical experience to an analytically trained observer, external to the dyad, may broaden the analyst's perspective. Using the lens of the match, a colleague in the role of supervisor, consultant or peer can provide feedback from which the analyst may acquire insight. As a result of this process, the influence that the participants' similarities and differences have upon each other becomes clear to the analyst. This awareness, in turn, may lead the analyst to appreciate the effect of the analyst's stance of distance or closeness and to evaluate whether at this phase of treatment it is beneficial or detrimental to the analytic process. Clinical illustrations of the effect of the external observer's feedback in relation to the patient,analyst match are provided. [source]

ON MISREADING AND MISLEADING PATIENTS: SOME REFLECTIONS ON COMMUNICATIONS, MISCOMMUNICATIONS AND COUNTERTRANSFERENCE ENACTMENTS,

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOANALYSIS, Issue 4 2001
Theodore J. Jacobs
This author focuses on an aspect of transference countertransference interaction that enacted covertly is often overlooked. He argues that conflicts, needs and biases that may go undetected for lengthy periods of time are not infrequently contained within the analyst's accurate and technically correct interventions and that for defensive reasons, patients often suppress, deny or rationalise their accurate perceptions of these countertransference elements and fail to confront their analysts with them. The mistakes, miscommunications and misperceptions that arise as a consequence of the unconscious collusions that develop between patient and analyst can have a profound effect on the analytic work. Several clinical examples are presented to illustrate the operation of such covert communications in analysis and their impact on the treatment process. [source]

Going home: migration as enactment and symbol

THE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Susanna Wright
Abstract:, The concepts of home and migration are briefly explored. Reference is made to the reflections of several writers on migration suggesting that migrants may experience alienation, even permanent melancholia. There is discussion of the need to mourn what has been lost and left behind, and of the challenge in analytic work with a migrant to relate to the pain of the individual's core self amid environmental and cultural losses. The paper outlines the history of an individual before her migration from Latin America to London, and tendency to idealize as a new arrival. The symbolization process is discussed and it is suggested that repetitive enactment in the analytic transference may have been needed for her internal reality of estrangement to be confirmed and differentiated from her culturally and socially isolated external life as a migrant. Only then could she mourn losses and symbolize her inner reality. It is suggested that through mourning and symbolization the significance of migration for the patient was worked with and transformed so that, following a second migration, an ordinary, good enough home could be made in a new place. Translations of Abstract Les concepts de foyer et de migration sont brièvement passés en revue. L'article fait référence aux réflexions de plusieurs auteurs spécialistes de la question alléguant que les migrants sont enclins à faire l'expérience de l'aliénation, voire d'une mélancolie permanente. L'article évoque la nécessité du deuil de ce qui a été perdu et laissé derrière soi, le défi du travail analytique avec les migrants consistant à atteindre la douleur nucléaire du soi de l'individu, dans un contexte de pertes environnementales et culturelles. L'article expose brièvement certains aspects de l'histoire d'une femme avant sa migration, de l'Amérique Latine à Londres, de même que sa tendance à l'idéalisation du nouveau départ. Puis l'auteur nous relate un incident survenu au bout de six ans d'analyse, qui cristallise des aspects de la relation transférentielle et contre transférentielle, en lien avec les expériences de migrante de la patiente autant qu'avec son vécu d'enfance. L'article étudie le processus de symbolisation et comment les mises en acte répétitives dans le transfert ont été nécessaires à ce que sa réalité intérieure de l'éloignement soit mise à jour et différenciée de sa vie extérieure de migrante socialement et culturellement isolée. C'est alors qu'elle put faire le deuil de ce qu'elle avait perdu et symboliser sa réalité interne. L'auteur expose des rêves où la migration est représentée comme une séparation de l'analyste et de la mère. Le travail analytique se poursuivit par téléphone après son départ. Le travail de deuil et la symbolisation permirent à la patiente d'élaborer la signification de la migration et de la transformer afin qu'un foyer ordinaire et suffisamment bon puisse être créé ailleurs. Die Konzepte von Heimat und Migration werden kurz untersucht. Bezuggenommen wird auf die Betrachtungen verschiedener Autoren über Migration die die Annahme vertreten, daß Migranten Entfremdung oder sogar dauerhafter Depression anheimfallen. Es gibt eine Diskussion über die Notwendigkeit das zu betrauen, was verloren und zurückgelassen wurde, und über die Herausforderung an die analytische Arbeit mit Migranten, sich auf den Schmerz im Kernselbst des Individuums inmitten von Verlusten an Umwelt und Kultur einzulassen. Der Text skizziert knapp einige Facetten der Geschichte einer Patientin vor deren Migration von Lateinamerika nach London sowie deren Tendenz, den Wechsel als Neubeginn zu idealisieren. Ein Ereignis aus ihrer Analyse wird beschrieben in dem sich Aspekte des Übertragungs- und Gegenübertragungsgeschehens kristallisieren und sowohl zu ihren Erfahrungen als Migrantin als auch zu solchen aus der Kindheit überleiten. Der Artikel diskutiert den Symbolisierungsprozeß und stell dar, weshalb wiederholtes Agieren in der analytischen Übertragung zur Bestätigung und Differenzierung ihrer internen Realität des Entfremdetseins notwendig gewesen sein mag um diese von ihrem äußeren kulturellen und sozialen Leben als Migrantin zu unterscheiden. Nur so konnte sie das Verlorene betrauern und ihre innere Realität symbolisieren. Träume werden beschrieben, in denen die Migration die Trennung von der Analytikerin und der Mutter repräsentieren. Nach der Abreise wurde die analytische Arbeit per Telefon fortgesetzt. Es wird angenommen, daß durch das Trauerns und die Symbolisierung die Bedeutung der Migration mit der Patientin bearbeitet und transformiert worden ist, so daß ein durchschnittliches gut genug seiendes Zuhause an einem neuen Ort aufgebaut werden konnte. Vengono brevemente esaminati i concetti di emigrazione e di casa. Ci si riferisce a riflessioni di vari scrittori sull' emigrazione che fanno pensare che gli emigranti possono fare esperienza di alienazione e persino di malinconia permanente. Si discute del bisogno di piangere ciò che è stato perduto e lasciato indietro, della sfida presente nel lavoro analitico con un emigrante nel relazionarsi al dolore che è al centro del sé dell'individuo per le perdite ambientali e culturali. In questo lavoro si delineano alcuni aspetti della storia di una persona dopo la sua emigrazione dall'America Latina a Londra e la tendenza a idealizzarla come un nuovo arrivo. Viene descritto un incidente dopo sei anni che nella sua analisi portò a una cristallizzazione di aspetti nella relazione di transfert e controtransfert, che si legavano sia alla sua esperienza come emigrante che alla sua infanzia. Nel lavoro viene discusso il processo di simbolizzazione e il come una rappresentazione ripetitiva del transfert può essere stata necessaria perchè la sua realtà di straniamento venisse confermata e differenziata dalla sua vita esterna di emigrante culturalmente e socialmente isolata. Solo allora potette piangere la perdita e simbolizzare la sua realtà esterna. Vengono descritti dei sogni che rappresentano l'emigrazione come una separazione dall'analista e dalla madre. Dopo la prtenza il lavoro analitico continuò telefonicamente. L'ipotesi è che attraverso il pianto e la simbolizzazione si potè lavorare con il significato dell'emigrazione per il paziente e trasformarlo così che un normale casa sufficientemente buona potesse essere costruita in un posto nuovo. Se exploran brevemente. los conceptos de hogar y de migración. Se hace referencia a las reflexiones de varios escritores sobre la migración que sugieren que los nómadas pueden experimentar la enajenación, incluso melancolía permanente. Hay discusión sobre la necesidad de estar de luto por lo que se ha perdido y ha quedado atrás, y sobre el desafío del trabajo analítico con un nómada para relacionarlo con el dolor por la pérdida del corazón de sí mismo en medio de pérdidas ambientales y culturales. El papel describe brevemente los aspectos de la historia de una persona antes de su migración de América Latina a Londres, y su tendencia de idealizar esta como nueva meta. Se describe un incidente a partir de seis años de análisis que cristalizó los aspectos de la relación transferencial y contratransferencial, ligándola a sus experiencias como nómada así como a su niñez. En el trabajo se discute el proceso del simbolización y cómo la representación repetitiva en la transferencia analítica pudo ser necesaria para su realidad interna de extrañamiento y poder afirmarse y distinguirse culturalmente de la vida externa y del aislamiento social experimentado como nómada. Sólo entonces ella pudo llorar sus pérdidas y simbolizar su realidad interior. Se describen sueños que representan la migración como separación del analista y de la madre. El trabajo analítico continuó por el teléfono después de su partida. Se sugiere que con el luto y la simbolización la paciente trabajó la significación de la migración y se transformó de tal modo, que pudo cambiar su vida ordinaria en un hogar suficientemente bueno en el nuevo destino. [source]

An under-active or over-active internal world?

THE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
An exploration of parallel dynamics within psyche, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the difficulty of internal regulation
Abstract:, This paper explores the dynamics brought into analytic work when there is a symmetric fusion between psyche and soma within the patient. It will consider how such a fusion may emerge from reverberations between physical constitution and a lack of maternal attunement, containment and reflective function. I will describe the work with a patient, Jane, who was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) during the course of her analysis. The dynamic of her physical symptoms within the analytic work, and the impact of her internal affects and internal ,objects' within the transference and countertransference, indicated a difficulty in finding an homeostatic balance resulting in overactivity and underactivity at both somatic and psychological levels. Using the clinical work with Jane this paper will also examine the interrelationship between mother-infant attachment, an inadequate internalized maternal reflective function, affect dysregulation, unconscious fusion, the lack of psyche-soma differentiation and the impact of the latter in relation to internal regulation systems, or lack of, in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). I will draw on similar work carried out by Holland (1997), Simpson (1997) and Simpson et al. (1997). The paper will also employ the concept of the reflective function (Fonagy 2001; Knox 2003), and consider Matte-Blanco's (1999) concepts of generalization and unconscious symmetry in relation to the patient's internal world. I go on to consider how analysis provides a point outside the ,fusion' that can enable the ,deadlock' to be broken. [source]

Pre-Hispanic perspectives on the modern Mexican psyche; contemporary subjects and ancient objects.

THE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2000
A Mayan text of evolution: the stages of creation in the Popol Vuh or sacred book of the Mayans
The ancestral tribes of Mexico, like any people living within a certain culture, may be affected by the archetypal images and values of their surroundings. Access to the imagery of the Mayan creation myth, the Popol Vuh, has provided an orientation in my analytical work with Mexican patients as they attempt to recreate themselves by engaging their conflicts around their reality, individuality and capacity to relate. I will address the psychological meaning of the different stages of creation: the original creative event, the man of mud, the man of wood, the false sun and the man of corn. With these images, I will illustrate their clinical application in analytic work with three Mexican middle age male patients dealing with different issues of identity and with a young female patient struggling to separate from a manipulative and destructive family system. [source]