Posted by gardenergirl on April 9, 2006, at 12:10:11
In reply to that brand of therapy ;-) » special_k, posted by pseudoname on April 8, 2006, at 14:47:18
> > I'm trying to suggest to them, and to anyone else who cares, that the theory of transference is baseless and distracting. My hope is that people will NOT agree to therapy in which it is seriously considered.
I'm not sure I can adequately communicate how valuable my therapy, which is psychoanalytically informed, has been. And I have no doubt that analyzing the transferences that have come up, in many cases not towards my T but towards others in my life with whom I was having the same types of issues over and over again, has helped me recognize this pattern. I feel so much freedom and lightness now that I am empowered to start to let go of the thoughts and feelings I project into the relationship that do not need to be there for current purposes. These interactions are so much simpler and much less muddled up with all the false assumptions, expectations, fears, feelings, worries, etc. that I would otherwise get paralyzed or confused by.
In short, I absolutely believe transference exists, and can be present in all types of therapy and in all kinds of relationships in real life. I agree that analyzing transference does not necessarily need to be a part of therapy. And I agree that transference includes real feelings, although I would argue that these feelings originate from something other than the present circumstances. And I agree that not all feelings ARE transference. It's quite a complicated construct and not one to be tossed around lightly.
But please don't discourage anyone from seeking the therapy process that best fits them. If I had not entered into the process I'm engaged in, it's unlikely I'd be in an emotional and cognitive place to stop participating in the same maladaptive dynamics I've repeated throughout my life.
gg
poster:gardenergirl
thread:628935
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060406/msgs/630902.html