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Caring and coercive aspects of the psychoanalytic situation
1Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, USA. royschafer@mindspring.com
Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association
|September 29, 2005
Summary
Psychoanalytic patients often feel both coerced and cared for by their analysts due to the therapeutic situation. Analyzing these ambivalent feelings is key to understanding the patient
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychoanalysis
Background:
- Ambivalent patient reactions influence transference and countertransference dynamics.
- The psychoanalytic setting contributes significantly to these complex emotional responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the dual nature of patient experiences within the psychoanalytic situation.
- To examine how perceived coercion and care interact in the therapeutic relationship.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of patient experiences and analyst observations.
- Exploration of transference and countertransference phenomena.
Main Results:
- Patients simultaneously or sequentially experience analyst interventions as both coercive and caring.
- These dual experiences are deeply intertwined with mixed emotions.
Conclusions:
- The structure of the psychoanalytic situation fosters ambivalent reactions.
- Understanding these mixed feelings is crucial for effective psychoanalytic treatment.
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