A developmental model forms the framework for the transtheoretical pra
ctice of psychotherapy. Major preoedipal and oedipal events, interface
d with significant two-person (mother-child) and three-person (father-
mother child) influences-dyadic deficit, dyadic conflict, triadic defi
cit, triadic conflict-are instrumental in the formation of different r
elationship patterns in treatment that transcend classical versus self
object transferences. Therapeutic as well as countertherapeutic stance
s and strategies are elucidated.