The Play's the Thing

The Clinical Relevance of Interdisciplinary Research on Affect Regulation in the Analytic Relationship

“…Amidst the theoretical and technical diversity of contemporary psychoanalysis, a prolific discussion has developed around the intersubjective nature of analytic work. Several theoretical orientations within the umbrella of contemporary psychoanalysis have developed or emphasized concepts that account for the interest in what happens in the interaction between patient and analyst (Foehl, 2010;Bohleber, 2013). Thus, Lewis Aron (1996) refers to "relational psychoanalysis" or "relationally oriented therapies" to refer to the group of theories within psychoanalysis whose main focus of interest is relationships, emphasizing both intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships.…”

“…From this perspective, the object of experience is never separate from the subject who experiences it. Thus, the aspiration to separate the knowing subject from the knowing object is replaced by the idea of a subject-subject relationship, in which intersubjective reciprocity is inevitable (Foehl, 2010;Bohleber, 2013). Gadamer's (1966) hermeneutic perspective in turn has been incorporated by relational thinking by emphasizing that the subject's perception of reality is always influenced and thus constrained by his/her preconceived ideas and prejudices (hermeneutic circle).…”

“…Gadamer's (1966) hermeneutic perspective in turn has been incorporated by relational thinking by emphasizing that the subject's perception of reality is always influenced and thus constrained by his/her preconceived ideas and prejudices (hermeneutic circle). As Foehl (2010) argues, the implication of this perspective is that we humans experience one another from a position that shifts and changes as we engage.…”

“…This approach also takes into consideration, precisely, the perspective underscored by the relational turn, where this interaction cannot be understood without the influence of the person of the analyst. Foehl (2010) argues that this perspective has meant a shift from meta-theory to a focus on the immediacy of the analytic encounter, suggesting that it is time for psychoanalytic inquiryand we would also add systematic investigation of the analytic process-to move from a prescription of what the content of the analytic process should be, toward a focus on describing the structure of the process from a stance close to experience. This means looking at the performative dimension of clinical practice.…”