Difference between revisions of "Countertransference"

From No Subject - Encyclopedia of Psychoanalysis
Jump to: navigation, search
(Case Studies)
 
(3 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Top}}contre-transfert{{Bottom}}                 
+
{{Top}}contre-[[transfert]]{{Bottom}}                 
  
 
==Sigmund Freud==
 
==Sigmund Freud==
Line 7: Line 7:
  
 
==After Freud==
 
==After Freud==
In particular, [[analyst]]s soon divided over the role allotted to [[countertransference]] in discussions of [[technique]].  
+
In [[particular]], [[analyst]]s soon [[divided]] over the [[role]] allotted to [[countertransference]] in discussions of [[technique]].  
  
On the one hand, many [[analyst]]s argued that [[countertransference]] manifestations were the result of incompletely analysed elements in the [[analyst]], and that such manifestations should therefore be reduced to a minimum by a more complete [[training]] [[analysis]].  
+
On the one hand, many [[analyst]]s argued that [[countertransference]] manifestations were the result of incompletely analysed elements in the [[analyst]], and that such manifestations should therefore be reduced to a minimum by a more [[complete]] [[training]] [[analysis]].  
  
On the other hand, some [[analyst]]s from the [[Klein]]ian [[school]], beginning with Paula Heimann, argued that the [[analyst]] should be guided in his [[interpretation]]s by his own [[countertransference]] reactions, taking his own feelings as an indicator of the [[patient]]'s state of mind.  
+
On the other hand, some [[analyst]]s from the [[Klein]]ian [[school]], beginning with Paula Heimann, argued that the [[analyst]] should be guided in his [[interpretation]]s by his own [[countertransference]] reactions, taking his own [[feelings]] as an indicator of the [[patient]]'s [[state]] of [[mind]].  
  
 
Whereas the former group regarded [[countertransference]] as an obstacle to [[analysis]], the latter group regarded it as a useful tool.
 
Whereas the former group regarded [[countertransference]] as an obstacle to [[analysis]], the latter group regarded it as a useful tool.
Line 20: Line 20:
 
[[Countertransference]] is a [[resistance]] of the [[analyst]].
 
[[Countertransference]] is a [[resistance]] of the [[analyst]].
  
Thus [[Lacan]] defines [[countertransference]] as "the sum of the prejudices, [[passion]]s, perplexities, and even the insufficient information of the [[analyst]] at a certain moment of the [[dialectic]]al process' of the [[treatment]]."<ref>{{Ec}} p. 225</ref>
+
Thus [[Lacan]] defines [[countertransference]] as "the sum of the prejudices, [[passion]]s, perplexities, and even the insufficient information of the [[analyst]] at a certain [[moment]] of the [[dialectic]]al [[process]]' of the [[treatment]]."<ref>{{Ec}} p. 225</ref>
  
 
==Case Studies==
 
==Case Studies==
[[Lacan]] refers to two of [[Freud]]'s case studies to illustrate what he means.
+
[[Lacan]] refers to two of [[Freud]]'s [[case]] studies to illustrate what he means.  
 
 
===Dora===
 
In 1951, he refers to the [[Dora]] case, and argues that [[Freud]]'s [[countertransference]] was rooted in his [[belief]] that [[heterosexuality]] is [[natural]] rather than [[normative]], and in his [[identification]] with Herr K.
 
 
 
[[Lacan]] argues that it was these two factors which caused [[Freud]] to handle the [[treatment]] badly and provoke the 'negative transference' which led to [[Dora]] breaking off the [[treatment]] <ref>{{L}} (1951a) "[[Works of Jacques Lacan|Intervention sur le transfert]]", in {{E}} pp.215-26 ["Intervention on the transference", trans. Jacqueline Rose, in Juliet Mitchell and Jacqueline Rose (eds.), ''Feminine Sexuality: the School of Lacan'', New Haven and London: Yale University, 1980, pp. 215-33.]</ref>.
 
  
 
===Young Homosexual Woman===
 
===Young Homosexual Woman===
In 1957 [[Lacan]] presents a similar [[analysis]] of Freud's treatment of the young homosexual woman <ref>{{F}} (1920a [1918]) "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|The Psychogenesis of a Case of Female Homosexuality]]," [[SE]] XVIII, 147.</ref>.  
+
In 1957 [[Lacan]] presents a similar [[analysis]] of Freud's treatment of the young [[homosexual]] woman <ref>{{F}} (1920a [1918]) "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|The Psychogenesis of a Case of Female Homosexuality]]," [[SE]] XVIII, 147.</ref>.  
  
He argues that when [[Freud]] [[interpreted]] the [[woman]]'s [[dream]] as expressing a wish to deceive him, he was focusing on the [[imaginary]] dimension of the [[woman]]'s [[transference]] rather than on the [[symbolic]] dimension.<ref>{{S4}} p. 135</ref>.  
+
He argues that when [[Freud]] [[interpreted]] the [[woman]]'s [[dream]] as expressing a [[wish]] to deceive him, he was focusing on the [[imaginary]] [[dimension]] of the [[woman]]'s [[transference]] rather than on the [[symbolic]] dimension.<ref>{{S4}} p. 135</ref>.  
  
 
That is, [[Freud]] interpreted the [[dream]] as something directed at him personally, rather than as something directed at the [[Other]].
 
That is, [[Freud]] interpreted the [[dream]] as something directed at him personally, rather than as something directed at the [[Other]].
Line 42: Line 37:
  
 
==Training==
 
==Training==
The preceding examples might seem to suggest that [[Lacan]] aligns himself with those [[analyst]]s who argue that the [[training]] [[analysis]] should give the [[analyst]] the capacity to transcend all [[affect|affective reactions]] to the [[patient]].  
+
The preceding examples might seem to [[suggest]] that [[Lacan]] aligns himself with those [[analyst]]s who argue that the [[training]] [[analysis]] should give the [[analyst]] the capacity to transcend all [[affect|affective reactions]] to the [[patient]].  
  
However, [[Lacan]] absolutely rejects this point of view, which he dismisses as a "stoical ideal".<ref>{{S8}} p.219</ref>.  
+
However, [[Lacan]] absolutely rejects this point of view, which he dismisses as a "stoical [[ideal]]".<ref>{{S8}} p.219</ref>.  
  
The [[training]] [[analysis]] does not put the [[analyst]] beyond [[passion]], and to believe that it does would be to believe that all the [[passion]]s stem from the [[unconscious]], an idea which [[Lacan]] rejects.  
+
The [[training]] [[analysis]] does not put the [[analyst]] beyond [[passion]], and to believe that it does would be to believe that all the [[passion]]s stem from the [[unconscious]], an [[idea]] which [[Lacan]] rejects.  
  
 
==Desire of the Analyst==
 
==Desire of the Analyst==
Line 54: Line 49:
  
 
==Affect==
 
==Affect==
Hence [[Lacan]] does not entirely reject Paula Heimann's position.  
+
Hence [[Lacan]] does not entirely reject Paula Heimann's [[position]].  
  
 
He accepts that [[analyst]]s have [[feeling]]s towards their [[patient]]s, and that sometimes the [[analyst]] can direct the [[treatment]] better by reflecting on these [[feeling]]s.  
 
He accepts that [[analyst]]s have [[feeling]]s towards their [[patient]]s, and that sometimes the [[analyst]] can direct the [[treatment]] better by reflecting on these [[feeling]]s.  
  
For example, if [[Freud]] had reflected a bit more on his feelings towards the young homosexual [[woman]], he might have avoided interpreting her [[dream]] as a [[message]] addressed directly to him.<ref>{{S4}} p. 108</ref>.
+
For example, if [[Freud]] had reflected a bit more on his feelings towards the young homosexual [[woman]], he might have avoided [[interpreting]] her [[dream]] as a [[message]] addressed directly to him.<ref>{{S4}} p. 108</ref>.
  
<blockquote>"No one has ever said that the [[analyst]] should never have feelings towards his [[patient]]. But he must know not only not to give into them, to keep them in their place, but also how to make adequate use of them in his technique."<ref>{{S1}} p.32</ref></blockquote>
+
<blockquote>"No one has ever said that the [[analyst]] should never have feelings towards his [[patient]]. But he must [[know]] not only not to give into [[them]], to keep them in their [[place]], but also how to make adequate use of them in his technique."<ref>{{S1}} p.32</ref></blockquote>
  
If [[countertransference]] is condemned by [[Lacan]], then, it is because he defines it not in terms of [[affect]]s felt by the [[analyst]], but as the [[analyst]]'s failure to use those [[affect]]s appropriately.
+
If [[countertransference]] is condemned by [[Lacan]], then, it is because he defines it not in [[terms]] of [[affect]]s felt by the [[analyst]], but as the [[analyst]]'s failure to use those [[affect]]s appropriately.
  
 
==Late Lacan==
 
==Late Lacan==
 
In the 1960s [[Lacan]] becomes very critical of the term [[countertransference]].
 
In the 1960s [[Lacan]] becomes very critical of the term [[countertransference]].
  
He argues that it connotes a symmetrical relationship between the [[analyst]] and the [[analysand]], whereas the [[transference]] is anything but a symmetrical relationship.  
+
He argues that it connotes a symmetrical [[relationship]] between the [[analyst]] and the [[analysand]], whereas the [[transference]] is anything but a symmetrical relationship.  
  
When speaking of the [[analyst]]'s position it is both misleading and unnecessary to use the term [[countertransference]]; it is sufficient to speak of the different ways in which the [[analyst]] and [[analysand]] are implicated in the [[transference]].<ref>{{S8}} p. 233</ref>.  
+
When [[speaking]] of the [[analyst]]'s position it is both misleading and unnecessary to use the term [[countertransference]]; it is sufficient to [[speak]] of the different ways in which the [[analyst]] and [[analysand]] are implicated in the [[transference]].<ref>{{S8}} p. 233</ref>.  
  
<blockquote>"The [[transference]] is a phenomenon in which [[subject]] and psycho-analyst are both included. To divide it in terms of [[transference]] and [[counter-transference]] . . . is never more than a way of avoiding the essence of the matter."<ref>{{S11}} p. 231</ref></blockquote>
+
<blockquote>"The [[transference]] is a phenomenon in which [[subject]] and [[psycho]]-analyst are both included. To [[divide]] it in terms of [[transference]] and [[counter-transference]] . . . is never more than a way of avoiding the [[essence]] of the matter."<ref>{{S11}} p. 231</ref></blockquote>
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
Line 89: Line 84:
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 +
<div style="font-size:11px" class="references-small">
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
</div>
  
 
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
 
[[Category:Psychoanalysis]]
Line 101: Line 98:
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:Terms]]
 
[[Category:OK]]
 
[[Category:OK]]
 
 
 
__NOTOC__
 
__NOTOC__

Latest revision as of 02:42, 16 January 2020

French: [[contre-transfert]]

Sigmund Freud

Freud coined the term "countertransference" to designate the analyst's "unconscious feelings" towards the patient.

Although Freud only used the term very rarely, it became much more widely used in psychoanalytic theory after his death.

After Freud

In particular, analysts soon divided over the role allotted to countertransference in discussions of technique.

On the one hand, many analysts argued that countertransference manifestations were the result of incompletely analysed elements in the analyst, and that such manifestations should therefore be reduced to a minimum by a more complete training analysis.

On the other hand, some analysts from the Kleinian school, beginning with Paula Heimann, argued that the analyst should be guided in his interpretations by his own countertransference reactions, taking his own feelings as an indicator of the patient's state of mind.

Whereas the former group regarded countertransference as an obstacle to analysis, the latter group regarded it as a useful tool.

Jacques Lacan

In the 1950s, Lacan describes countertransference as a resistance, an obstacle which hinders the progress of psychoanalytic treatment.

Countertransference is a resistance of the analyst.

Thus Lacan defines countertransference as "the sum of the prejudices, passions, perplexities, and even the insufficient information of the analyst at a certain moment of the dialectical process' of the treatment."[1]

Case Studies

Lacan refers to two of Freud's case studies to illustrate what he means.

Young Homosexual Woman

In 1957 Lacan presents a similar analysis of Freud's treatment of the young homosexual woman [2].

He argues that when Freud interpreted the woman's dream as expressing a wish to deceive him, he was focusing on the imaginary dimension of the woman's transference rather than on the symbolic dimension.[3].

That is, Freud interpreted the dream as something directed at him personally, rather than as something directed at the Other.

Lacan argues that Freud did this because he found the woman attractive and because he identified with the woman's father.[4].

Once again, Freud's countertransference brought the treatment to a premature end, though this time it was Freud who decided to terminate it.

Training

The preceding examples might seem to suggest that Lacan aligns himself with those analysts who argue that the training analysis should give the analyst the capacity to transcend all affective reactions to the patient.

However, Lacan absolutely rejects this point of view, which he dismisses as a "stoical ideal".[5].

The training analysis does not put the analyst beyond passion, and to believe that it does would be to believe that all the passions stem from the unconscious, an idea which Lacan rejects.

Desire of the Analyst

If anything, the better analysed the analyst is, the more likely he is to be frankly in love with, or be quite repulsed by, the analysand.[6].

If, then, the analyst does not act on the basis of these feelings, it is not because his training analysis has drained away his passions, but because it has given him a desire which is even stronger than those passions, a desire which Lacan calls the desire of the analyst.[7]

Affect

Hence Lacan does not entirely reject Paula Heimann's position.

He accepts that analysts have feelings towards their patients, and that sometimes the analyst can direct the treatment better by reflecting on these feelings.

For example, if Freud had reflected a bit more on his feelings towards the young homosexual woman, he might have avoided interpreting her dream as a message addressed directly to him.[8].

"No one has ever said that the analyst should never have feelings towards his patient. But he must know not only not to give into them, to keep them in their place, but also how to make adequate use of them in his technique."[9]

If countertransference is condemned by Lacan, then, it is because he defines it not in terms of affects felt by the analyst, but as the analyst's failure to use those affects appropriately.

Late Lacan

In the 1960s Lacan becomes very critical of the term countertransference.

He argues that it connotes a symmetrical relationship between the analyst and the analysand, whereas the transference is anything but a symmetrical relationship.

When speaking of the analyst's position it is both misleading and unnecessary to use the term countertransference; it is sufficient to speak of the different ways in which the analyst and analysand are implicated in the transference.[10].

"The transference is a phenomenon in which subject and psycho-analyst are both included. To divide it in terms of transference and counter-transference . . . is never more than a way of avoiding the essence of the matter."[11]

See Also

References