Psyche, 22, Nos. 9–11, 1968: HELMUT and BRIGITTE THOMÄ (79 Ulm, Steinhövelstr. 9, Germany). Die Rolle der Angehörigen in der psychoanalytischen Technik (The role of the relatives in psychoanalytic technique)

Starting from Glover's inquiry (1939), which indicated that psychoanalysts only unwillingly establish contact with their patients' relatives, the first part deals with the literature on this subject. In interviews with relatives basic principles concerning general professional discretion are touched upon. In the second part the authors show why psychoanalysts prefer to avoid contacts with relatives: they wish to prevent complications in the two-person relationship. In the third part undesired and non-therapeutic side-effects are described which must be attributed to the psychoanalytic situation and which arise particularly when the eccentric position of the relatives is strengthened. Pertinent empirical results gained by strictly avoiding interviews with relatives are discussed. The reluctance of some psychoanalysts towards interviews with relatives, a kind of 'professional countertransference', is described and the unfavourable consequences that this uncontrolled 'countertransference' may have on the patient and his relatives is discussed (part 4). Finally, in the fifth part, four illustrating case reports are given.