The edge of chaos: A nonlinear view of psychoanalytic technique

Abstract

The field of nonlinear dynamics (or chaos theory) provides ways to expand concepts of psychoanalytic process that have implications for the technique of psychoanalysis. This paper describes how concepts of "the edge of chaos," emergence, attractors, and coupled oscillators can help shape analytic technique resulting in an approach to doing analysis which is at the same time freer and more firmly based in an enlarged understanding of the ways in which psychoanalysis works than some current recommendation about technique. Illustrations from a lengthy analysis of an analysand with obsessive-compulsive disorder show this approach in action.

Psychoanalytic psychotherapies and the free energy principle

“…The transformation of this global psychic function involves processes of great complexity and non-linear logic (Galatzer-Levy, 2016 ; Turtz, 2020 ). The interconnection of these processes is of such complexity that any attempt to separate them in order to extract empirically testable variables may lead to the destruction of the holistic character of their structure which gives them a “hyper-complex” dimension (Morin, 2005 ).…”

“…Psychoanalytic therapies thus aim at transforming the quality of this psychic function of global integration which is necessarily, employed, in its foundations and its most basic logics, toward the need for the minimization of free energy. The transformation of this global psychic function involves processes of great complexity and non-linear logic (Galatzer-Levy, 2016;Turtz, 2020). The interconnection of these processes is of complexity that any attempt to separate them in order to extract empirically testable variables may lead to the destruction of the holistic character of their structure which gives them a "hyper-complex" dimension (Morin, 2005).…”

A constructive replication of client change during psychodynamic treatment in an outpatient setting

“…For example, consistent findings across studies depict subgroups characterised as low‐ and high‐functioning nonresponders (e.g., Frankfurt et al., 2016; Nordberg et al., 2014), and as such, clinicians can expect that clients' initial symptom levels will correspond to distinct clinical challenges over the course of treatment. In addition, nonlinear change dynamics have been considered within numerous models of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and represent an important departure from the linear assumptions within much of Western healthcare (Galatzer‐Levy, 2016). The nonlinear change processes we observed among social functioning, experiential avoidance, symptoms and well‐being can be thought of as ‘coupled oscillators’ (Galatzer‐Levy, 2016, p. 97).…”

“…In addition, nonlinear change dynamics have been considered within numerous models of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and represent an important departure from the linear assumptions within much of Western healthcare (Galatzer‐Levy, 2016). The nonlinear change processes we observed among social functioning, experiential avoidance, symptoms and well‐being can be thought of as ‘coupled oscillators’ (Galatzer‐Levy, 2016, p. 97). The dynamic coupling between domains of functioning may help explain why psychoanalytic processes focussed on reducing clients' symptoms often correspond to an ‘expanding landscape of possibilities for living’ and improved social functioning over the course of treatment (Jankowski et al., 2019, p. 97).…”

Simple rules and self-organisation: A complex systems’ perspective on South Africa’s COVID-19 response

“…Self-organising behaviour is seen as essential to help a system and individual in a system to find novel ways to cope with chaotic situations and function at the ‘edge of chaos’. According to Galatzer-Levy ( 2016 :419), complexity, change, development, creativity and adaptive behaviour only really become possible when a system functions at the edge of chaos. Consequently, systems that are regulated using a simple set of rules often adapt more efficiently to challenging situations as individual elements in the system are allowed to self-organise and change their behaviours in line with the challenge presented.…”