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Dr. fromm-reichmann states: “The goal of intensive psychotherapy is understood to be: alleviation of patients’ emotional difficulties in living and elimination of the symptomatology, this goal to be reached by gaining insight into and understanding of the unconscious roots of patients’ problems, the genetics and dynamics, on the part of both patient and psychiatrist, whereby such understanding and insight may frequently promote changes in the dynamic structure of the patients’ personality.”
To all of this we would agree with one general addition which we feel necessary for the sake of completeness. Nowhere in her goal appears the question of the constructive. It is more or less implied as something of central importance but nowhere is it given explicit expression as the one essential for overcoming the neurotic process. The reclaiming of the self could not occur without the growth of various forces which went astray at an early period in life and are continuing to go astray in the present. This is a truly dynamic concept.
Dr. Fromm-Reichmann writes of curative insights obtained after the “patterning influence” of a repressed or dissociated childhood experience has been worked through. This will lead them to a “valuable frame of reference for the patients’ insight into the functioning of their inner minds as well as for their correct orientation in and adequate adjustment to the world outside themselves.” There is no mention of the fact that, during this process various constructive assets are being discovered and fortified. It is on the strength of these that