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    9 views1 page

    34b075fa9dc9441c2ee843b2fa045929

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    fanelesbongegumbi2014

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    Int, J. Psyeho-Anal, (1996) 71, 1073 THE AIM OF PSYCHOANALYSIS IN THEORY AND IN PRACTICE JOHN STEINER, LONDON The aims of psychoanalysis are reviewed tn terms of theortes of mental function and Structure, The theory of mental conflict remains the central theory’ of classical ‘psychoanalysis but has been deepened and supplemented by newer theories. In particular the theory of projective identification has radically altered our view of mental structure ‘and function and has allowed us to reformulate the ains of psychoanalysis in terms of the re-acquisition and re-tntegration of projected parts of the self. The central role of mourning in this process is discussed, and some of the obstacles to progress are reviewed. It is suggested that oedipal resentments may play a central role in the creation of impasse. 1 am going to discuss the question of what the psychoanalyst aims to achieve in practice by relating it to theories he holds of mental structure and function, both pathological and normal. This approach is governed by the view that as our ideas of the way the mind functions have developed so too has the way in which we formulate the aim of psycho- analysis, Such a view is in keeping with that of Sandler & Dreher (1996), whose broad historical survey of aims in psychoanalytic therapy provides an excellent background to this paper. Readers will also find Friedman's (1988) discussion of the role of theory in guiding the practice of psychotherapy useful in comparing the present approach with that of others. In a 1989 paper I traced the way in which the aims of treatment changed as Psychoanalysis matured, passing from simple theories of dammed-up libido to the classical theory of mental conflict and highly so- phisticated theories of object relations that included an understanding of transference, resistance and psychic change. This survey made use of two important papers by Roger Money-Kyrle (1968, 1971) but I made the point (still not fully recognised I think) that Melanie Klein’s theories of splitting and pro- Jective identification (Klein, 1946, 1952) sep- resent a radical and revolutionary extension of classical Freudian theory that allows us to reformulate the aims of psychoanalytic ‘treatment. I shall review some of these themes in this paper and then try to bring the discussion up to date by addressing the issue of obstacles to development and to progress in treatment. ‘THE THEORY OF DAMMED-UP LIBIDO Money-Kyrle described how Freud’s early theory of dammed-up libido was based on the assumption that ‘mental illness arose as 4 result of sexual inhibitions’ and led to the idea that the aim of analysis should be to ‘This paper is based on an eatlicr one presented to. conferencs on ‘The Changing Aims of Prycho- analytie Therapy’ held at University College, Lon- CCopyrigh' © 2009 Pre@uest LLC. All rights reserved, Copyright © international Journal of Psychoanalysis. don in June 1996, It has been selected (o appeat for

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