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This book is like an invitation to a wedding of the intrapsychic and intersubjective dimensions of psychoanalysis. But while the bride and groom show no signs of running, the rabbi does, leaving the knot untied and the guests not quite sure what to think.
For years, Jacobs has been constructing a bridge between classical and contemporary theory, a bridge that permits him to visit both sides of the psychoanalytic river: a bridge over troubled waters. His view from the bridge brings to mind the Arthur Miller play of the same name about a conflict of loyalties. Jacobs seems torn between his loyalty to his teachers and supervisors, who have represented and passed on tradition, and his interest in and use of contemporary theory.
This book is a treatise on the unconscious interactions between patient and analyst, as well as on the place of intersubjective theory in classical psychoanalysis—a theory that some of his colleagues see as contaminating. While the bridge provides connection, it also places in bold relief the differences that continue to divide this profession, alerting the reader that on one bank, theory is valued more highly than the patient, while on the other bank, the uniqueness of the dyad prevails. I think all analysts will resonate with Jacobs's struggle to make peace by finding a point of view that will remain open to modification in the service of growth and development—a view that could save this profession.
Jacobs reviews his experience with his first analyst, whom he notes was “trained in a small, prestigeless institute…. [He] would evoke looks of unmitigated contempt” (p. 5) by traditional analysts. Nonetheless, Jacobs was impressed (as was I) with this analyst, Dr. E, who
… for the most part … embraced our traditional techniques, [yet] … did not believe them to be sacrosanct. Rather, he attempted
Page 495to adapt them to the particular requirement of individual cases…. When standard technique fails to be effective, it behooves the analyst to find a way of wo