Psychic and Mental Bisexuality in the Development of A Sense of Self and Mind

Drawing on the ideas of Birksted-Breen (1996) and Houzel (2005), this paper discusses the concept of bisexuality, which has been viewed in various ways in the psychoanalytic literature. An argument is made for a clearer definition and conceptual distinction using the terms ‘psychic’ and ‘mental’ bisexuality. Houzel's ‘psychic bisexuality’ and Birksted-Breen's ‘mental bisexuality’ are distinguished as two separate developmental phases which promote the establishment of psychic space and thought. Psychic bisexuality pertains to the structuring of the self and the development of internal space. Mental bisexuality pertains to the functioning of the mind, with the development of space between internal objects and between self and others. Central to these developments are the containing functions of being both close enough to, and distant enough from, the patient. Clinical material illustrates how interwoven problems at the stage of psychic and mental bisexuality can be and demonstrates that the development of internal space, and space between self and others, requires internalization of both the psychic and mental bisexuality of the therapist.