Paper Session A

11. The Place of Free Association in Self Psychology

Self Psychology Page | 23rd Conference Program

Overview

In this workshop we are suggesting that the methods of free association and evenly hovering attention (which is the free association activity engaged in by the therapist) are relevant to self psychology. The activity of free association provides access to the depths of the nuclear self and in many instances can foster the strengthening and cohesion of the self. A review of the psychoanalytic literature bearing on the topic of free association and the technical principles of neutrality, abstinence, and anonymity, all of which are problematic if not antithetical to the goals and technical orientations of self psychology. We discuss the necessary conceptual spearation of free association from these technical principles. The workshop will focus on Kohut’s ideas pertaining to the topic. We will propose that free association, as described and defined by Kohut, and later by Lichtenberg, can be adapted to the empathic enterprise and that it is intrinsic to empathic immersion. Practical issues of technique will be considered and some examples of the value of free association will be presented.

Self Psychology Page | 23rd Conference Program