A case has been described in which the prevalent mode of communication during psychotherapy for large segments of the process consisted of acting-out behavior, play action, and eventually play acting. In adult neurotics, acting out is considered a form of resistance to be removed by interpretation or by suggestion and injunction. In this case, the assumption was made that the acting

out, play action, and play acting, rather than being merely a substitute for recollection, represented experimental recollection, a primitive mode of the ego to bring about reconstruction, which is in the service of adaptation. The unavailability of sufficient neutralized energy cathexis for higher forms of ego organization was considered a contraindication to the use of technical tools applicable to adult neurotics.