[Psychoanalytic psychotherapy in a hospital milieu]

Using a clinical case, I have attempted to demonstrate how an analytic "listening attitude" may permit a patient request which would at a manifest level, not usually require insight but, if such were given, would then influence the whole course of treatment. Thus, the fundamental concept of psychoanalysis dealing with unconscious mental mechanisms becomes operational if it is not limited simply to a technical frame of reference. The developing situation then approaches that of psychoanalysis. This process may occur if flexibility is maintained in the basic technique of psychotherapy. The views of Jean Bergeret on borderline states are briefly presented as tools of psychodynamic understanding of clinical situations.