Trying to enter the long black branches

Some technical extensions of the work of Frances Tustin for the analysis of autistic states in adults

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8973129
AutoresJudith L Mitrani (Psychoanalytic Center of California, Frances Tustin Memorial Trust2050 Fairburn AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90025USA, autor de correspondencia)
Año2011
Volumen92
Número1
Páginas21-42
Fecha de publicación2011-01-11
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaThe International Journal of Psychoanalysis (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0020-7578 • E-ISSN: 1745-8315
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1745-8315.2010.00357.x
PMID21323876
OpenAlexW1488038679
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas7
Referencias citadas13

The author suggests a number of technical extensions/clinical applications of Frances Tustin's work with autistic children, which are applicable to the psychoanalysis of neurotic, borderline and psychotic adults. These are especially relevant to those individuals in whom early uncontained happenings (Bion) have been silently encapsulated through the use of secretive autosensual maneuvers related to autistic objects and shapes. Although such encapsulations may constitute obstacles to emotional and intellectual development, are consequential in both the relational and vocational spheres for many analysands and present unending challenges for their analysts, the author demonstrates ways in which it may be possible to detect and to modify these in a transference-centered analysis. A detailed process of differential diagnosis between autistic states and neurotic/narcissistic (object-related) states in adults is outlined, along with several clinical demonstrations of the handling of a variety of elemental terrors, including the 'dread of dissolution.' The idiosyncratic and perverse use of the analytic setting and of the analyst and issues of the analysand's motivations are considered and illustrated. A new model related to 'objects in the periphery' is introduced as an alternative to the more classical Kleinian models regarding certain responses and/or non-responses to transference interpretation. Issues a propos the countertransference are also taken up throughout

Countertransference · Interpretation (philosophy · Object (grammar · Psychoanalysis · Psychoanalytic theory · Psychodynamics · Psychotherapist · Transference · Variety (cybernetics · Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology · Computer Science · Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications