Interpersonal-Relational - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Interpersonal-Relational Theories

Geoff Goodman, Ph.D.Slide2

I. The Relational Orientation

Psychoanalytic encounter co-constructed between two active participants (mutuality)

Humans are motivated by seeking objects, not discharging drives

Patients perceive and interpret “real” as well as “distorted” aspects of therapist in transference

Therapist self-disclosures produce more openness and trust in therapeutic relationshipSlide3

Continued…

E. Authoritarianism is replaced with an approximation of egalitarianism

F. Focus of treatment shifts from exploration of patient’s fantasies to exploration of mutual enactments (1-person to 2-person psychology)

G. Both transference and countertransference are mutually constructed (perspectivism, not absolutism) Slide4

Continued…

H. Recent evidence for 2-person psychology from time-series analysis conducted by Jones and Josephs

I. Focus on here and now in transference rather than reconstruction of past through retrieval of memories

J. Attention paid to both interpersonal and intrapsychic realms of human experience (i.e., intersubjective) Slide5

Continued…

K. Sexuality and aggression are inherently relational

constructs--response

to external and internal objects

L. Reciprocal influence between interpersonal processes and

intrapsychic

relational processes (transactional model)Slide6

II. Theory of Development

Lack of emphasis on development because of focus on here and now rather than there and then

Organizational schemes emerging sequentially (Ogden, 1989)

1.

autistic-contiguous

2.

paranoid-schizoid

Slide7

Continued…

3. historical modes which vary according to four domains

a. articulation of

self-other

boundaries

b. split vs. whole object relations

c. quality of reality testing

d. awareness of irreversibility of

time--repetition

compulsion Slide8

C. Four basic modes of relationality (Mitchell, 2000)

non- reflective

presymbolic

behavior-

-reciprocal

behavioral influence and mutual regulation

affective permeability-

-shared

experience of intense affect across permeable boundaries

organization of experience into

self-other

configurations

intersubjectivity

-

-mutual

recognition of self-reflective agentsSlide9

D. Major theoretical formulations placed among these four basic modes of

relationality

1. attachment theory-

-mode

1

2. object relations theory of Fairbairn/

Kernberg

-

-mode

3

3. relational theory of Ogden and

Bollas

-

-mode

2

4.

intersubjective

and psychoanalytic feminist theory-

-mode

4Slide10

III. Theory of Psychopathology

Attachment to “bad” (i.e., unsatisfying or unavailable) objects (see Fairbairn)

Psychopathology is the product of defense, not developmental arrest

1. relationship conflict-

-babyish

self considered safety strategy

2. not

unconflicted

arrested self-

-babyish

self considered lacking in recognition and mirroring

3. developmental arrest privileges needs of earliest developmental periods over current relationship needsSlide11

Continued…

C. Mental health-

-flexibility

to experience different relationships in different ways

D. Familiarity causes people to cling to pathological patterns

E. Modes of engagement become adaptive and maladaptive relationship templates for subsequent encounters

1. effectiveness in avoiding anxiety

2. fear of loss of contact with self and others if surrendered

3. conflicts arise between specific relational configurations and predominant self-shaping relational patternsSlide12

IV. Theory of Treatment

Entering into the subjective world of the patient and becoming part of his or her relational world

Broadening the structure of the patient’s relational world beyond confines of childhood constraintsSlide13

Continued…

C. Therapeutic change

1

. not through interpretation

2. through expanded participation of the analyst in the patient’s experiential world

3. therapist participation takes place whether interpreting or remaining silent

4. therapy is the experience cure, not the talking cure

5. observation is always contextual, not objectiveSlide14

V. Pioneers of Relational Theory

Sandor

Ferenczi

broke from Freudian tradition near the end of his life.

first developed the idea of mutual participation of analyst and patient

returned to Freud’s first theory of psychopathology-

-seduction

theory

psychopathology originates in abuse and its denial

technical neutrality of analysis repeats the trauma of parental code of silence (denial) Slide15

Continued…

4. modifications of analytic technique

a. engage in “real” relationship with patients to counteract phoniness of parental relationships

b. make up for deficits in loving by loving patients more authentically then parents did

c. privilege of experience over interpretation and remembering of early experience

d. experiments with mutual analysis

1) mutuality--different roles

2) symmetry--same rolesSlide16

B. Otto Rank

also broke from Freudian tradition

first developed the idea of birth trauma

separation from mother traumatic

fundamental conflict falls along a continuum

wish for separation, autonomy, life, individuality (Bowlby’s exploratory system)

wish for merger, dependence, death, loss of self, return to womb (Bowlby’s attachment system)Slide17

Continued…

c. therapist encourage psychological birth through acts of will

d. restoration of confidence activates will and produces individuality

e. acts of merger can produce creativity

3. both

Ferenczi

and Rank represent two ends of continuum

a.

Ferenczi

--mutuality

, merger, and intimacy

b.

Rank--autonomy

, separation, and individualitySlide18

VI. Critique of Relational Theory

No

theory

of

preexperiential

needs that motivate relationships

Psychopathology occurs only out of impingements upon a maturational pathway

No taxonomy of diagnostic classification of psychopathology

A

perspectivist

position cannot simultaneously privilege relational interventions over others

Relational therapist sacrifices his or her position as an older, wiser secure base