6 Psychoanalysis of the Psychoanalytic Setting169

Winnicott defines the ‘setting’ as ‘the summation of all the details of management’ (Winnicott, 1956, p. 297).170 For reasons that will be discussed as we develop this theme, I propose that we adopt the term psychoanalytic situation for the totality of the phenomena included in the therapeutic relationship between analyst and patient. This situation encompasses phenomena that constitute a process, which is what we study, analyse and interpret. However, it also includes a setting,171 in other words a ‘non-process’ in the sense that these are the constants within the framework of which the process takes place.172

The analytic situation may thus be studied from the perspective of the methodology that it represents, the setting corresponding to the constants of a phenomenon, a method or a technique, and the process to the set of variables. However, we shall here put to one side this methodological aspect and mention it only for the purpose of making clear that a process can only be investigated while these constants (the setting) are maintained. Thus, within the psychoanalytic setting we include the role of the analyst, the combination of spatial factors (the surroundings), temporal factors and part

of the technique173 (including the establishment and maintenance of session times, fees, regular breaks, etc.).

For now, my concern is with the psychoanalysi