On destructiveness in the analyst

ABSTRACT

The paper describes the therapeutic relationship, specifically the countertransference enactments of the analyst whose own destructive impulses were inevitably mobilised in the treatment of a narcissistically disturbed patient. They are discussed in the light of other authors’ theoretical understanding of the described dynamics. The societal context of the analyst’s work is being discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Destructiveness
• perversion
• countertransference
• societal impact

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. The choice of the theme was a response to the Breivik massacre, in Norway, in 2011.

2. www.p-cca.org

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Veronika Grüneisen

Veronika Grüneisen began her professional career in adult education and has worked as psychoanalyst in private practice since 1991. She has taught at the Institute for Psychoanalysis in Nuremberg, for 25 years and as training and supervising analyst of the DPG for 20 years and of the IPA for 10 years. She became founding member and chaired “Partners in Confronting Collective Atrocities” since 2007, for eight years.