Technical Aspects of Transference1

In his introductory remarks, the chaiman, Jacob A. Arlow, noted that the technical management of transference phenomena is the essence of our daily work. With the broadening of our therapeutic experience and with the deepening of our theoretical understanding, problems of management of the transference have taken on new significance; their meanings reflect in a specific way the consequences of the development of psychoanalysis. The task of the panel was conceived as a step in the direction of further fruitful and rewarding exploration in this area. With illustrations from other areas of psychoanalytic development, Arlow briefly outlined the historical background.

In the first paper entitled "On Transference, " Phyllis Greenacre reviewed and delineated the traditional relationships of analysand and analyst in their two main areas: (1) the transference neurosis, and (2) the therapeutic alliance. She focused especially on the changing relationships within and between these two areas of contact. In this general framework she explored problems under two general headings: (1) transference complications in handling questions of reality with the patient, and (2) certain conditions of what she described as too great fluidity between regressive neurotic manifestations and the critical ego, with the tendency to swamp or crowd out the latter. Greenacre especially noted the necessity of carefully guarding the autonomous attitude of the patient. There were illustrations and clinical examples in reference to the avoidance of interventions, since this weakens the attitude of the patient rather than strengthens it. Sequelae of such interventions were the production of attitudes of special gratitude (or its opposite) which interferes with subsequent transference expression; an increase in the appetite of the patient for such interventions with its accompanying provocations to the analyst; and a playing into the transference with the risk of rearousal of old traumatic experie