16. Transitional Phases and ‘Now Moments’:
Tracing Changes in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
Presenter: |
Anna Ornstein, MD |
Chair: |
Barnet D. Malin, MD |
Self Psychology Page | 21th Conference
Program
In the last few years, we had witnessed an increased interest in the therapeutic action in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. This interest raised a related question: whether or not structural changes take place in these two treatment modalities. In this paper, with the help of a brief clinical vignette, I shall discuss how the identification of transitional phases and "now moments" facilitate the tracing of therapeutic and structural changes in the course of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. I shall define what I mean by transitional phases and how Daniel Stern and his research team defined "now moments" and used this to identify changes in the analyses of adult patients.
Tracing therapeutic and structural changes in the course of treatment has implications for the wording and phrasing of empathic interpretations, which, in turn, affect the progress of the treatment process.
Educational Objective: To enhance the interpretive process and to aid in the conceptualization of changes as these occur in the course of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.