Search

Ongoing studies in psychoanalysis have been broad and progressive, and have dealt with a number of different phenomena. Many thus foster the identification of intersubjective aspects that characterize therapeutic relationships today, including enactments. The concept of enactment first appeared in the literature in the mid‐1980s and was defined as a manifestation where, in the analytic situation, both analyst and patient unconsciously 'play out' psychic conflicts that must be worked out therapeutically. Resulting from unconscious forces activated mutually by the members of a therapeutic dyad, enactments are characterized by transferential and countertransferential dynamics. They are based on the mechanism of projective identification, which is interpersonal and intersubjective. In preparing the present systematic review, PUBMED, PsycINFO and LILACS databases were consulted, a process that generated a total of 59 articles. This paper gives an account of articles published on enactment, including authors, journals, year, type of study and diagnoses, as well as the gender and age bracket of patients mentioned in the literature investigated. We specifically describe how the authors of the respective articles understand and identify the concept of enactment and how they deal with this phenomenon in their clinical work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As in any quarterly journal, everything in this issue was in development, was finalized, and went into production before the global coronavirus crisis took hold. Sian was also a valued reviewer for the BJP, taking great care over her reports, mindful of the importance of writing in a fair and kindly way, especially when she was critical of a manuscript. Colin creatively contributed his long experience as a seminar leader, supervisor and programme manager responsible for developing and managing the Master's Programme at WPF Therapy, to the work of the Journal. [Extracted from the article]

The end of a therapeutic relationship is experienced in a unique way by each patient and triggers complex feelings relating to early attachment issues, losses and traumas. It is an immense rupture: a process of attachment and separation, intimacy and loss that is an emotionally intense experience for both participants. This case illustration provides insight into the difficulties experienced during the process of forced termination in an analytic community‐training clinic. Following a 2‐year treatment, Peter, a patient who had been severely traumatized in youth, had to tolerate the pain of another loss; having to say goodbye to a therapist. We describe the therapist's initiation and engagement of the termination phase. A series of measurements of patient personality, therapist attachment, and change in alliance and outcomes provide information on the impact of Peter's history and the therapeutic relationship. Clinical illustrations highlight different parts of the decision‐making process in terms of the patient's sensitivity to loss, as well as the therapist's uncertainty around self‐disclosure. We suggest ways therapists may facilitate endings by addressing positive and negative feelings, providing a good‐enough attachment experience, and stimulating an internalization of the therapeutic relationship. Implications for clinical practice, research and supervision are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]