Psychoanalysts' relational multiple perspectives

The specific contribution of the person of the analyst-his or her attitudes , fantasies, and entire range of emotional responses to the patient-have be come the subject of much investigation in psychoanalytic literature, This p aper describes the phenomenon of distinct and sometimes contradictory self- experiences in analysts that develop as part of the moment-to-moment proces s of a predominantly adaptive coping mechanism. It is suggested that at any given point the analyst's perspectives (reflecting various self-states), l ike those of the patient, are multiple, and that the analyst "chooses" to p lace one such perspective,P at the center of experience. By choosing a cert ain self-state, the analyst can adopt, for example a warm and loving stance with a regressed and demanding patient, or be come harsh (e,g, setting bou ndaries, ending a session) with one who seeks affection and protection. This paper also suggests that the capacity do move between versions of self -states, to see them as complementary even when they are; paradoxical, prom otes a deeper understanding,bg of paradoxes in the personality of the patie nt. Only when the analyst maintains a dialogue between various dissociated aspects of his or her analytic experience can a dialogue of this kind begin in the patient.