Presenter:
Julia M. Schwartz, MD
Chair:
Jill R. Gardner, PhD
Discussant:
Sandra M. Kiersky, PhD
Self Psychology Page | 20th Conference Program
One of the most challenging aspects of psychoanalytic training is learning how and when to make interventions. Much of what is taught about clinical decisions and technique is based on theory. Clinical understanding is then limited to and guided by what the theory says is important or curative. I suggest that clinical decisions should be based on meaning rather than prescribed by theory. The analyst should focus on exploration of the possible meanings of a given intervention, and choices should be made based on what is likely to facilitate the deepening of the analytic process. Clinical examples are given to demonstrate this approach to analytic interventions.