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In what follows, I shall be speaking of identity in a broad sense that includes the psychoanalyst’s convictions as well as his vocation, his personality as well as his technique skills.
Grinberg (1983), in exploring the analyst’s professional identity, stresses a particular kind of curiosity regarding the mind and psychic reality, a curiosity that extends to the analyst’s own psychic functioning; Grinberg also stresses the capacity for and interest in introspection and self-analysis, a creative capacity, an ability to think under adverse circumstances, ethical behavior that assures avoiding acting out in the counter transference, tolerance for the frustration of psychoanalytic work, particularly the ability to cope with uncertainties and with the temporary loss of the ability to understand. I would add, as related qualities, the analyst’s confidence in the possibility of acquiring new understanding through introspection and insight and of bringing about change through insight in oneself and others, at the same time maintaining respect for the limitations of both understanding and the change derived from it. The analyst needs to have respect for the powerful nature of human aggression as well as of libidinal forces, a respect for the unavoidable ambivalence in all human relations, and the need to accept limitations in oneself, in others, and in human enterprise in general.
I think additional characteristics of the psychoanalyst’s identity include what may be considered a parental attitude of holding or containing the conflictual and chaotic nature of intrapsychic conflict. Holding or containing has cognitive and affective components and
includes a basic attitude of concern for oneself and the patient and a psychological openness to the unknown in others as well as in oneself.
It hardly needs to be stressed that such ego aspects of psychoanalytic work, in order to be operative and realistic, must be embedded in a healthy ego identity. The intellectual brilliance, intuit