Relational Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy (a basic intro)

Relational Psychoanalysis, founded by Steven Mitchell in the United States, proposes a new model of psychoanalysis that rejects Freud's Theory of Biological Drives and shifts the priority to relationships and patterns of interaction with others. In practice, its goal is to explore the relational conflicts of the individual with significant others as they are reflected in the relationship with the Analyst and the psychoanalytic framework, while considering a contemporary perspective.

According to Nocross (2005), the variety of therapeutic approaches today exceeds 400 psychotherapy models. Most therapists and supporters of these approaches would agree that as social beings, we are shaped through our social interactions and that the image we have of ourselves is a "malleable" material in the hands of our close relationships (Finlay, 2016). According to Mitchell, the primary motivation of the individual is to relate to others. When this "relating" fails to meet our needs, trust is lost (as cited in Finlay, 2016). Relational Psychoanalysis uses the value of relationships and their importance for our psychological well-being as a cornerstone for connecting the past, present, and future, aiming to heal past relationships by focusing on the "here and now" and the relationship between the Analyst and the Analysand (Finlay, 2016). This therapeutic relationship serves as a valuable tool within the relational framework. Yalom notably states: "It is the relationship that heals, the relationship that heals, the relationship that heals..."

In Relational Psychoanalysis, the type of "Attachment" between the Therapist and the Client represents the broader relationships the Client forms and plays a major role in the diagnostic process (Finlay, 2016). Bowlby (1969), in developing his Attachment Theory, explains that the "primary bond" between caregiver and infant becomes a model for future relationships, and how the way a caregiver attaches to the child creates positive or negative associations in adulthood (as cited in Robertson, 2016). Children who are unable to form a secure attachment to their mother (caregiver) struggle to develop healthy bonds as adults, and the Therapist serves as a model of secure attachment with an adult, providing the Client the opportunity for a corrective emotional experience (Robertson, 2016). The role of the Therapist is akin to that of a mother who provides the child with a secure base from which they will explore the world (Bowlby, 1988). Kohut, through his Self-Psychology Theory, emphasizes the necessity for the caregiver, and later the Analyst, to reflect the emotional psychic conflicts of the individual by using the Analyst as an "auto-object" in order to securely build a healthy sense of self (Finlay, 2016).

The influence of the past on the Relational Therapeutic practice and the relationship between Analyst and Analysand, as it emerges in their interactions, is expressed under the concept of Intersubjectivity, a key term within the framework. According to Crossley (1996), intersubjectivity is the "web of our social being," indicating that our social context is constantly changing as our relationships with others continuously evolve. He notably states that through intersubjectivity, we gain a clearer understanding of human existence in its social form, since our actions impact our environment and the reactions to those actions create an endless cycle with many players and ongoing responses (Crossley, 1996). This interaction is evident in the relationship between the Client and the Therapist, as past experiences, the expressions of both (verbal or non-verbal), and their worldview intervene transference in the therapeutic process (Faris, 2012). The intersubjective interactions between the two, arising from their "authentic" relationship and the Analyst’s self-analysis, lead to their analytical encounter.

The Therapist's flexibility in adapting to the Client's needs within Modern Models of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis is a step toward Holistic Psychotherapeutic Integration (Rowan and Jacobs, 2002, as cited in Faris, 2012). The Relational Model of integration requires the merging of different elements to create something new.

Scott (2004) identifies four types of integration:

• Integration of a variety of psychotherapeutic theories in the therapeutic process.

• Spiritual, mental, intellectual, and emotional experience with the patient.

• Integration of other disciplines in the process, such as poetry.

• Use of humor or metaphors as a therapeutic approach by the Therapist.

Whether integration targets theory or therapeutic methods, it addresses the holistic, ongoing process between Therapist, Client, and Therapeutic model (Faris, 2012).

writer : Korachai Sophia, GMBPsS 

Clinical Doctoral Candidate, University of Essex. 

as first published by the writer on this source: https://www.icpa.gr/schesiaki-psychanalysi-eisagogi/

References:

Finlay, L. (2016). Relational integrative psychotherapy : Engaging process and theory in practice.

Integrative counselling & psychotherapy; a relational approach. (2012). Reference and Research Book News, 27(1), Reference and Research Book News, Vol.27(1).

Integration in counselling and psychotherapy; 2d ed.(Brief article)(Book review). (2010). Reference & Research Book News, 25(2), Reference & Research Book News, May, 2010, Vol.25(2).

Robertson, T. (2016) Playtherapy (original name: Παιγνιοθεραπεία).