The person of the analyst and role of intersubjectivity in beginning the treatment

• Published in: On Freud's "On Beginning the Treatment" pp. 77 - 87
• Main Author: Kirshner, Lewis
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2012
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: International Psycho Analytical Association; Transference Impulses; Figurative Presence; Analyst Patient Pair; Term Intersubjectivity; Pep Archive; Analyst's Presence; Machine Gun Fire; Patient Therapist Dyad; Absolute Abstinence; Affective Interchange; Neurotic Range; Co-constructed Model; Countertransference Attitudes; Interface Zone; Preparatory Psychotherapy; Mental Normality; Schizo Paranoid Position; Intersubjective Perspective; Therapeutic Alliance; Personal Equation; Analyst's Participation; Prevalent Criticism; Brass Monkey; Hold
• ISBN: 9781780490267; 1780490267
• DOI: 10.4324/9780429477874-6

This chapter focuses on two aspects of the conceptual change: the presence of the analyst as a "real person" and the influence of the perspective of intersubjectivity on the treatment relationship. Sigmund Freud's principal concern in "On beginning the treatment" is to set the conditions for a successful analysis while patiently waiting to discover whether he will be able to utilise them appropriately. Beginning with Freud, the various types of transferences and even the "individuality of the analyst" were widely recognised as playing a part in the treatment. The intersubjective perspective underlines the importance of the analyst's presence, as opposed to verbal and affective absence, especially at the beginning of treatment. It is remarkable that references to intersubjectivity abound not only in the writings of analysts who emphasise the relational dimension of treatment, but in classically oriented practitioners, Self Psychologists, infant researchers, and object relations theorists.