Effects of Theory on Psychoanalytic Technique and on the Development of Psychoanalytic Process

What are the effects of the theoretical stance of the analyst on his or her psychoanalytic technique and on the development of psychoanalytic process in the earliest phase of an analysis? To explore this question, panelists representing differing theoretical stances and the audience had access to an edited, confidential transcript covering the first four hours of an analysis. Schlesinger suggested that the panelists apply their own theoretical orientations to the clinical data to demonstrate how an analysis might ideally develop and to differentiate their own approach. The clinical material was selected because it represented the beginning of an analysis of a patient who seemed "suitable" enough, the analyst's behavior in the first week seemed generally facilitative, and the little history that had been taken was obtained by the referring colleague, so that the transcript reflected the earliest meeting of patient and analyst.

The patient was a married mother of two, in her late twenties, who worked part-time in publishing. Referred to a consultant analyst by her internist because of mild somatic complaints and a sense of unhappiness and dissatisfaction in her marriage, she then was referred to the treating analyst, Dr. Smith. The transcript of the four sessions included an initial discussion of the patient's complaints and feelings about accepting help. She began on the couch in the second session, and presented her first dreams in the third session.

Schlesinger began by asking the panelists to discuss what theory might be guiding the analyst and to demonstrate how the analysis might ideally develop from their own point of view. He raised some