3.9 Transference: The Technique of Analyzing the Transference

It should be noted that the title of this section is “The Technique of Analyzing the Transference” and not “The Interpretation or the Management of the Transference.” The reason for this is that, although interpretation is the decisive instrument for dealing with transference phenomena in the psychoanalytic procedure, other technical implements are also necessary. The interpretation of a transference reaction is the ultimate technical step in dealing with

transference phenomena; but in order to interpret the transference effectively there are a variety of necessary preliminary steps. Edward Bibring (1954) stressed the fact that with our increased knowledge of ego psychology the psychoanalyst has become more aware of the necessity for carefully clarifying a particular psychic phenomenon before he attempts to interpret it. Fenichel (1941) and Kris (1951) have also emphasized the importance of clearly demonstrating and illuminating the subject under consideration before one attempts to interpret its unconscious meaning. As I have stated before, demonstration, clarification, interpretation, and working through a psychic event can be considered “analyzing” a given phenomenon.

The reason for bringing the concept of the “management” of the transference into the discussion is that the psychoanalyst is called upon to do more than “analyze” in order to handle the transference properly. By no means should this statement obscure the fact that it is the analysis of the transference that is essential and characteristic of psychoanalysis. However, in order to make a psychic event analyzable, it may be necessary at times to undertake other procedures (E. Bibring, 1954; Eissler, 1953; Menninger, 1958, Chapt. VI; as well this volume Section 1.34).

For example, since classical psychoanalytic technique is aimed at facilitating the maximum development of all the varieties and intensities of the transference reactions, and since transference phenomena arise s