Learning from our Mistakes: Beyond Dogma in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy

by Patrick Casement

Learning from our Beyond Dogma in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy examines some of the problems that are inherent to psychoanalysis, particularly in view of the analyst's claim to know the patient's mind better than the patient which can blind the analyst to those times when he is in error. Patrick Casement examines the processes of supervision and internal supervision by which practitioners can develop their awareness of the patient's experiences within the clinical encounter, and particularly considers the issue of mistakes and enactments by the analyst. Illustrated with numerous clinical descriptions and taking into account psychoanalysis over the past 100 years, Casement makes a strong case for being open minded rather than dogmatic in clinical practice.
This book will be invaluable to practitioners, trainers and trainees of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy, and is readily accessible to the educated general reader.

Genres: Psychology

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Dovilė Stonė · Rating 4 out of 5]

[...]it is strange how precisely we can fail some patients, in ways that really do seem to be ‘determined by’ their history, as Winnicott describes.

If an interpretation leaves no room for the patient, except to agree or disagree, the patient has no space for his/her own thinking.

[...]our problem is usually not so much that of knowing that we do not know; rather it is often the illusion of knowing when we do not.

Though careful not to fall into the more typical forms of transference or projection, analysts can nevertheless develop a false sense of confidence in their theoretical framework and in the broad applicability of their clinical experience. Of course, in any analysis, there is an essential place for theory and for clinical experience, but for some analysts (and I count myself among them) that remains secondary to the task of trying to get to understand the individual. I therefore hope not to allow myself to be pushed into seeing a patient in any particular way just because theory (or someone else) suggests that I should. Each patient is essentially unique. The individual will therefore still remain something of a mystery, however well we may eventually come to know him/her. Therefore, even though theory has a vital place in serving the work of analysis I continue to hope we will not be governed by it too often.

[Jonah Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book and insightful into the practices of psychoanalysis. I believe any clinician would benefit from reading these rich case examples. The ending of this book opened my eyes to the ways we may take our clients for granted, and the necessity of challenging the engrained pattern of categorical thinking. One must never lost sight of curiosity within the consultation room.