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The analyst's ambivalence about continuing and deepening an analysis.
1Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute, USA. lenaehrlich@comcast.net
Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association
|September 21, 2010
Summary
Analysts
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychoanalysis
Background:
- Analyst's ambivalence is an understudied factor impacting analytical capacity.
- Previous work explored reluctance to recommend analysis and address patient resistance.
- This paper focuses on ambivalence regarding maintaining and deepening the analytic engagement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine analyst's ambivalence concerning the maintenance of the analytic frame.
- To explore conflicts arising from maintaining the analytic engagement.
- To illustrate how addressing analyst's reluctance can deepen the analytic process.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of analyst's internal conflicts regarding the analytic frame.
- Detailed clinical case example provided.
- Focus on the analyst's self-scrutiny of reluctance.
Main Results:
- Continued scrutiny of reluctance to maintain the analytic frame facilitated analysis continuation.
- Analyst's self-awareness allowed for a deepening of the analytic process.
- Recognizing analyst's ambivalence is crucial for addressing patient resistance effectively.
Conclusions:
- Analyst's ambivalence can undermine the capacity to address patient resistance, particularly concerning fees and frequency.
- Self-reflection on ambivalence is key to maintaining and deepening the analytic process.
- Understanding and managing analyst's ambivalence is vital in the current economic climate.
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