The Containing Selfobject: Reflections about Relational Process in Clinical Practice

Abstract

The therapeutic relationship is central to clinical social work practice. Integrating theories about the mechanisms of the therapeutic relationship can guide clinicians towards optimization of these processes. This paper offers an exploration of two psychoanalytic constructs which are often seldom brought together in the literature. Bion's container–contained refers to the therapist's function in processing the client's dissociated emotions in order to promote psychic integration. Kohut's concept of the selfobject refers to the therapist's role in providing responses that contribute to the client's self-cohesion. These ideas are discussed as being complementary and compatible, constituting useful guides to the ways in which the therapeutic relationship can promote development and transformation.

Keywords:

• psychotherapy process
• therapeutic relationship
• containment
• self-psychology