Reunion at last--But with whom? A reply to Drs. Carter and Binder

In their commentaries on The Reunion Process: A New Focus in Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (see records 2007-09422-003 and 2007-09422-003), Drs. Binder and Carter have both suggested that the progress reported in the case history was due to the relationship between patient and therapist, rather than the intrapsychic work of reunion with the patient's parents. In my rejoinder, I will argue that the therapeutic relationship is absolutely necessary to a successful treatment, but not always sufficient to help the patient resolve his difficulties. Although current research demonstrates that the relationship in the office has a greater effect on outcome than technique, this research is based on existing technique; it is always possible that a new technique could be more effective than preceding ones. I note that there may be other reasons for skepticism about the reunion process. For example, the therapist may feel so empathic with the patient's anger that forgiveness and a sense of reunion are not considered possible. I conclude that using this method will give the patient a deep sense of reunion, both with the therapist and with his early attachment figures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).