Abstract

PANIAGO, Isa Maria Lopes  and  VIANA, Terezinha de Camargo. The psychic retreat as the strange resource of the resistance. Rev. Mal-Estar Subj. [online]. 2008, vol.8, n.4, pp. 1099-1119. ISSN 1518-6148.

In our efforts towards understanding the process of analyzing very intense resistance, as observed in our clinical experience, we came across Steiner's theory of psychic retreats. Steiner describes analytical situations that become rigid and inert, offering few opportunities for change, since the patients find themselves paralyzed and with difficulties establishing significant contact. Some patients continue analysis, but refuse any form of intervention on the analyst's part. However, this refusal represents something beyond the negative therapeutic reaction, as it does not seem to be associated with progress towards possible improvement in their treatment. The patient becomes inaccessible, perhaps due to the use of primitive defensive mechanisms like splitting and projective identification. The patient turns to a strange resource, in the form of a refuge (psychic retreat) that, while protecting him, does not eliminate his suffering. The analyst finds himself trying desperately to connect with the patient. Our research into Steiner's theory has brought clues that point towards a change in analytic listening that allows the analyst to shelter the patient's need to be understood in his transferential addressing, instead of interpreting his comprehension to the patient which may remain as something external to him. It is required that the analyst must be intent on his countertransference feelings in order to understand the patient's organization, and so he can provide a good-enough holding environment.

Keywords : resistance; interpretation; psychic retreat; primitive defenses; analytical process.

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