[Gisela Pankow or possible meeting with the psychotic.]

The author presents a synthesis of the theoretical and clinical work of Gisela Pankow on psychosis. The reading of works of this psychoanalyst is fascinating for a number of reasons : she provides a detailed and lively look at numerous clinical cases, she accepted patients in analysis with whom other methods had failed. But this spectacular character may distract the reader from the essence of the work, which is an original theorizing and practical approach concerning psychosis. The resume of the Pankow's theses is all the more necessary because the latter does not always take the time to present her works in a clear, organized fashion. The main contributions of Pankow are the following : the use of non-traditional techniques (face to face, drawings, models, family contacts) in the treatment of the psychotic, the redefinition of the concept of forclusion (Lacan) as a defense mechanism directly implying the body image. The present text may serve as an introduction to the reading of Pankow's works, by putting the ideas in order to a certain extent.