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The dream space and countertransference
The International Journal of Psycho-Analysis
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Patients unable to dream about emotional dilemmas project them onto their analyst. The analyst
Area of Science:
- Psychoanalysis
- Psychology
- Dream Analysis
Background:
- The conceptualization of dream space in psychoanalysis.
- The analyst's role as a container for patient projections.
- Similarities between creative dream use and analytic sessions for understanding.
Observation:
- Two male patients struggled to complete dreams concerning emotional dilemmas.
- These patients induced significant countertransference disturbances.
- The analyst's process of working through these disturbances was detailed.
Findings:
- Patients project unresolved dilemmas into the analyst when unable to dream them.
- Analyst's functioning can transform these projected dilemmas into dreamable and thinkable issues.
- Some patients exhibit a developmental need to engage the analyst in this projective process.
Implications:
- Highlights the therapeutic potential of the analyst's container function.
- Demonstrates how analysts can help patients process and dream difficult emotions.
- Suggests a developmental basis for specific patient-analyst interaction patterns.