IS THE TRANSFERENCE FEARED BY THE PSYCHOANALYST

The author considers whether the reason for the variety and multiplici ty of theories about the transference might lie in analysts' fears of its dangers. He reviews Freud's development of the concept from its or igins, when it was seen as resistance, to its use as a fundamental ins trument of the treatment, and lays particular emphasis on its percepti on as a burden. Classical and later authors' conflicting views of the transference and its management are surveyed in the light of the commo n ground otherwise existing between schools. Views of the negative-tra nsference are also presented. Some clinical vignettes are given, showi ng the analyst responding to the patient's transference, grappling wit h his own countertransference feelings and using them to illuminate th e clinical situation. The author emphasises the importance of the anal yst's training and experience in enabling him to withstand the regress ive onslaught of the patient's projections without resorting to theory -related or technical defensive measures. In his view, the transferenc e is not in itself a resistance but may be used as such. The analyst m ust not interpret merely in order to get rid of the anxiety aroused in himself by the patient's regressive feelings. The paper ends with a c onsideration of the importance of intuition, the countertransference a nd sublimated projective counter-identification.