Discussion of Ian Alger's Article, The Clinical Handling of the Analyst's Responses

Dr. Alger's thesis, supported by references to Freud and the literature, states there was a period in the development of analysis (which may indeed persist) when the analyst considered himself merely a mirror, detached from and uninvolved with the patient. The analyst dealt with the patient's responses “by denying that they were really directed at him.” Alger argues for the importance of recognizing the actual responses of the analyst and openly exposing what was “once taboo.”

The concept of the “detached analyst” has gained so much support from analysts that it might even be called conventional. Nevertheless I take issue with Dr. Alger and his supporters.

First, I submit there is not a single advocate of the detached analyst to be found either in the literature or on personal investigation. The detached analyst is mentioned in the literature only to be castigated and is never anything but an unnamed figure. I was once informed, by a presumably reliable source, of one such analyst, allegedly a model of detachment and, from my own experience, discovered it was not so. Subsequently I learned this sort of information is invariably unreliable.

I have seen detachment in students who believed they were acting correctly, and no doubt it occurs (as the result of error) in experienced analysts, but this is not theoretical espousal.

To summarize, I think the detached analyst, who is detached on the basis of theoretical conviction, is a mythical figure. He exists only as a result of personal behavior error or because patient complaints are misconstrued.

My second reason for disagreement lies in a

different interpretation of Freud's work, which Dr. Alger advances to support his contention. I do not believe Freud meant detachment in Dr. Alger's sense. I think ample support for this can be found in Freud's writings. If one reads the sparkling interchange with Dora, the fascinating explanations to the Rat Man (as well as Freud's disclosure that he gave the Rat Man a meal, revealing