Posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on June 17, 2009, at 21:37:04
In reply to Re: Psychoanalysis question » antigua3, posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on June 17, 2009, at 21:26:03
I guess I should respond in psychodynamic-speak, which is not comfortable to me, so let me rephrase this. Transference isn't something anybody conjures up; it is supposed to happen naturally. If your therapist wants to be a blank slate to attain that transference, well, he's already gone beyond that process by talking about it (he's presuming it's happened; you seem to indicate that it has happened). So why pretend that it isn't happening after already acknowledging it has? Why not then discuss it? Perhaps I'm just not getting it. I have to admit a bias against psychoanalysis (and maybe that translates to understanding it imperfectly). I read about things therapists say or do to already emotionally-vulnerable people in the name of "therapy" and it makes me really mad. Having said that, I have to also say that in grad school I did really accept many theories of the psychodynamic school, more so than classmates. I just think that in practice, it is tricky, and it can be damaging.
So, have I mucked up the issue more? I hope not, antigua. I just truly want the very best for you, and everyone here. I want your T to be validating and supportive. It's my hope that I have grossly misunderstood, and that there is much to recommend your T that I don't see right now.
Take care, Amelia
> Well, and I know this is just my opinion, I think that it is legitimate for you to ask about your relationship if he is the one that believes in transference. If he lays the groundwork for working out transference in the therapeutic relationship, and then refuses to engage in discussion about transference ("the relationship"), then it's like he's planted irises but refuses to acknowledge they exist whenever you point out how well or not well they are doing. It's just invalidating. It's not like you are asking him about his wife or dogs or neighborhood (I'm assuming) when you ask about things going on between you and him. I don't, of course, know the history of your relationship or what else you've talked about in therapy. It just seems to me that the one thing a therapist should be is validating, even if s/he is challenging too (not challenging to talk to, but presents challenges for you to work through in a supportive way). Have you directly asked why he avoids such discussion?
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> > >He kind of sounds like an @ss (acknowledging that I know nothing about him and that there are probably real positives that I'm not seeing right now). Is your T comfortable with your pdoc practicing psychotherapy with you?
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> > Oh, pray tell, what makes you think that? Seriously, I'm interested. Let me have it. I can take it.
> > antigua
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poster:Amelia_in_StPaul
thread:901559
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090614/msgs/901636.html