Countertransference, Analytical Communication and Neutrality

Authors

  • Beatriz de León de Bernardi

Keywords:

contratransferencia, neutralidad, proceso psicoanalítico

Abstract

The topic of countertransference is once again in the centre of the discussion about the process of the conscious and unconscious communication between patient and analyst. However, the term ‘countertransference’ includes, in a somewhat undiscriminated way, phenomena of different orders, which may lead to the blurring of its resistential features. Racker’s distinction between a form of concordant countertransference, which directly can tributes to the understanding the patient, and another for of complementary
countertransference, which interferes with the analytic process, is still clinically valid in distinguishing different functions of countertransference. Current developments that study the processes of communication in the analysis have widened our comprehension of the contribution of the analyst, particularly in moments of intricateness between patient and analyst. This unavoidable contribution of the analyst has lead to a new discussion of the classical concept of neutrality. But in order to assign its real value to this concept we need to understand the paradoxical nature of the countertransferential phenomenon, as it appears in such moments of intricateness. On one hand, these moments open new ways towards the comprehension of the patient’s reality, departing from what happens in the analyst; but, at the same time, they disclose a stubbling situation in the analysis, showing resistential aspects that were operating in a concealed form in the analyst.

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Author Biography

  • Beatriz de León de Bernardi

    Miembro Titular de la Asociación Psicoanalítica del Uruguay

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Published

1999-01-01

How to Cite

Countertransference, Analytical Communication and Neutrality. (1999). Revista Uruguaya De Psicoanálisis, 89, 94-109. http://publicaciones.apuruguay.org/index.php/rup/article/view/1315

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