Psychoanalytic process
Although the term psychoanalytic process is frequently used, there is no consensual definition of its meaning. Some authors use it to designate a recognizable set of experiences within psychoanalysis. Others, a majority, use it as a synonym for the entire psychoanalytic experience, describing in detail what analysts do to achieve their goals.
We may define a psychoanalytic process, from the vantage point of the analyst, as a psychotherapeutic situation in which the therapist-analyst intervenes with clarification and interpretation of the patient’s conflicts, particularly addressing defense (resistance), and conflicts related to the analyst or analytic situation.
From a historical point of view, the most useful psychoanalytic theory is considered to be a combination of the present structural theory and Freud's signal theory of anxiety. Characteristics of the important phases of analysis are described: (1) The initial phase should inspire confidence in the patient and establish the realistic position and characteristics of the analyst. (2) The "working through" phase occurs when the patient free associates. The role of ego is one of testing the derivatives of instinctual drives which are exposed in this phase. Nodal genetic points of interest may arise, and the patient may be ready for transference displacement. (3) The termination is important since the analytic process continues in the patient, increasing his capacity for optimum adaptation to life.
Ornstein, P. H. (2004). The Elusive Concept of the Psychoanalytic Process. Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 52(1), 15-41. Retrieved from: https://shorturl.at/A93yh
Waldron, S., Scharf, R., Hurst, D., Firestein, S., & Burton, A. (2003). A View through the Lens of The Analytic Process Scales (APS). Published in 2004, International. Journal of Psychoanalysis. Retrieved from: https://shorturl.at/y6Aod
Rangell, L. (1968). The psychoanalytic process. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 49(1), 19–26. Retrieved from: https://shorturl.at/BfhtY