PSYCHOANALYSIS AND PSYCHOANALYTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY - IS THERE A MEANINGFUL DISTINCTION IN THE PROCESS

The pluralism in models of development, pathogenesis, and technique an d the expansion of the applicability of treatment that characterizes t he current psychoanalytic scene further erode the traditional criteria for psychoanalysis and the long-standing but increasingly fragile dis tinction between psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The purpose of this article is to delineate general features of the psycho analytic process that are more encompassing of contemporary theoretica l models and to use these features as criteria to explore ifa meaningf ul distinction can be made between psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic p sychotherapy. Following a brief historical review of the literature, I reassess on the basis of theory, research, and practice the so-called extrinsic and intrinsic criteria for psychoanalysis, and I conclude, from today's perspective, that a meaningful distinction with psychoana lytic psychotherapy cannot be made. I then arrive at what, in my view, are the fundamental features of the psychoanalytic process that can i nclude all psychoanalytic approaches.