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Mutual regression: altered states in the psychoanalytic situation
1Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, New York University, USA. Lewaron@psychoanalysis.net
Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association
|July 31, 1998
Summary
Psychoanalytic regression, a debated topic, involves mutual regulation between patient and analyst. This process helps patients navigate altered states of consciousness, enhancing therapeutic outcomes and autonomy.
Area of Science:
- Psychoanalysis
- Psychology
- Psychotherapy
Background:
- Regression is a controversial topic in psychoanalytic literature.
- Disagreements exist on whether psychoanalytic settings and methods should induce regression.
- Diverse theoretical schools (Freudian, Kleinian, interpersonal) hold differing views on regression's role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reexamine the fundamentals of regression in psychoanalysis.
- To relate the concept of regression to altered states of consciousness.
- To propose a relational perspective on the mutual regulation of regressive states.
Main Methods:
- Reexamination of psychoanalytic literature on regression.
- Conceptual analysis relating regression to altered states of consciousness.
- Application of a relational psychoanalytic framework.
Main Results:
- Patient and analyst mutually regulate each other's regressive states.
- This mutual regulation is a key aspect of the analytic process.
- The analyst facilitates the patient's optimal state shifts and regulation.
Conclusions:
- The analyst's role includes facilitating adaptive state shifts and improving self-regulation.
- Mutual regulation of regressive states is essential for the analytic process.
- Analyst's commitment to co-regulated states safeguards patient autonomy.