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Recovery of the lost good object
1Topeka Institute for Psychoanalysis, USA.
Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Recovering a preverbal "good mother" experience can be a turning point in psychotherapy. This facilitates a stronger therapeutic alliance and positive treatment outcomes by enabling patients to reinvest in the world.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychotherapy
- Psychoanalysis
Background:
- Psychotherapy can facilitate the recovery of early positive experiences.
- The concept of the
Observation:
- A key event in some treatments is the recovery of a preverbal experience of the 'good mother' (good object).
- This recovery often marks a turning point in the therapeutic process.
- Such experiences can solidify the therapeutic alliance.
Findings:
- The acquisition of positive memories, facilitated by psychotherapy, allows patients to reinvest in the external world.
- While not replacing early trauma or parental failures, these memories promote healing.
- Case examples illustrate the transformative potential of recovering the 'good object' experience.
Implications:
- This phenomenon highlights the reparative potential of psychotherapy in overcoming early deficits.
- Strengthening the therapeutic alliance through such experiences is crucial for positive outcomes.
- Patients can develop a renewed capacity for engagement with new relationships and the environment.