Posted by Pfinstegg on May 26, 2004, at 16:04:25
In reply to Re: Therapy today, posted by DaisyM on May 26, 2004, at 13:12:40
Just a word about the transference- I think the more intense a transference we can have with our therapists, the better. In the beginning of my therapy with my present analyst, he said, "I hope you will have as intense an experience as possible here with me". There are so many parts to it: the baby girl without a mother has a very intense transference filled with longing for closeness and connection- she can never get enough of that! When he (or I) go away for a few days, she reacts when the sessions resume by doubting that he is really there in the room with her; she feels detached and miserable, and it takes her quite a few days to thaw out and feel at least semi-secure again. The young girl alternates between cautious attachment and outright rage. Yesterday, she said that she felt like cutting his penis off with a knife. He laughed in a sort of accepting, sympathetic way, but then said, "there are some men who should have them cut off; I think you feel your father deserved that as retaliation for what he had done to you." That helped the girl feel more trusting- that he understood her need for revenge so well. I'm afraid I may have been a bit too graphic here, but these are the realities of my therapy. I think it is such a gift from one's therapist to be so willing and able to accept ALL of our feelings, from murderous and vengeful to utter need and dependence.
poster:Pfinstegg
thread:349340
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040522/msgs/350845.html