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Psychoanalysis is a field that relies heavily on language as a therapeutic instrumentality in a variety of ways.† In addition, psychoanalytic terminology provides a scaffolding for using technical procedures based on particular constructs of the psychoanalytic situation.
There has been a growing interest in the impact of language on a host of psychotherapeutic transactions. Many modes of language can be distinguished in the process of psychoanalysis. For instance, a patient's spontaneous verbal productions differ markedly from the language of interpretation used by many analysts. Another type of language is frequently used when it comes to exploratory or confrontational technical procedures. Still another language applies to technical terminology that is the foundation for didactic and therapeutic considerations.
It is my contention in this paper that our linguistic tools in psychoanalysis have become increasingly alienated from their therapeutic usefulness. The above comment is based on the observation that psychoanalytic terms tend to foster or restrict clinical work and interprofessional communication. This is not to deny the fact that sensitive experienced practitioners have the capacity to transcend linguistic straight jackets. My main point is, however, that open-ended psychoanalytic terms are preferable to terms tinged with potential dogmatism because they promote a broader platform for clinically useful procedures.