This paper explores the complex intrapsychic relations of psychoanalysts with their private selected theories, and the equally complex expressions and variations of these theories in the psychoanalytic community and literature. They accompanied the frequently conflictual formation of groups, schools and technical-conceptual orientations, for decades. More specifically, the paper highlights the deep dynamics of «transference to the theories and/or to the authors» whose conceptualisations inspire each analyst well beyond their conscious, «objective» (or supposedly so) scientific choices. The more or less harmonious integration of the «theoretical internal objects» with the individual Work-Ego and Work-Self, constitutes an essential evolutionary task regarding the personal growth and formation of the contemporary psychoanalysts.

KEY WORDS: Imitation, partial introjective identification, substitutive identification, transference to authors, transference to theories.