Joseph D. Lichtenberg, M.D.: Synthesizer Extraordinaire: A Conversation with Joseph D. Lichtenberg at His Home in Bethesda, MD, April 11, 2021

ABSTRACT

A little over five weeks before Joseph Lichtenberg’s death, I conducted an interview to discuss Joe’s new ideas about the importance of tracking a sense of power in patients’ experiences and in clinical interactions. At the time, we were aware that Joe was dying and his time was short. He also wanted to hear from me concerning my experience at the time we had first begun a supervisory relationship 33 years ago. He shared his impression of me from that time. We go on to discuss a few of his contributions, especially the concepts of wearing the attribution and the joint construction of model scenes – concepts that have become part of the contemporary psychoanalytic lexicon. Finally, we discuss Joe’s legacy to psychoanalysis involving a way of thinking and a willingness to shift if a better idea emerges.

KEYWORDS:

• Motivation
• motivational systems
• power
• experience
• autism
• model scene

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

¹ Joe co-founded ICP+P with Rosemary Segalla in 1994.

² Joe wrote: “I conclude with a final word of appreciation for Carr. The coherence of her narrative about Aaron and about herself is neither accidental nor incidental. The case material comes alive… Carr’s careful monitoring and mirroring of his proto-affective indicators helped him begin to animate his feelings. Together, they could then begin to recognize, not only shame in its searing form, but anger, rage, fear, and depression, and love for his dog, and a sustaining respect for Carr (Lichtenberg, 1999, pp. 418–419, Italics in the original).”

³ Ron Bodansky is an American psychoanalyst living in Germany who developed a close and enduring friendship and mentorship with Joe.

⁴ Several years ago, a long-term patient of Joe’s expressed concern, given his age, about losing him and being without left without needed support if something were to happen to him. Joe suggested she begin to work with me. At first, the patient and I met when Joe was absent but gradually, she began to see both of us separately. My presence and involvement have helped her weather the terrible loss of Joe not being in her life.

⁵ Joe and his collaborators, Frank Lachmann and James Fosshage, published ten books together.

⁶ Marilyn Voigt is a retired clinical social worker in Washington, DC who received analytic treatment from Joe. Later, she became a Founding Member of ICP+P.

⁷ Daniel Stern was a psychoanalyst and infant researcher who made ground-breaking contributions to the field.

⁸ Maurice Katan was a psychoanalyst who immigrated from Europe to the United States.

⁹ Heinz Kohut was a psychoanalyst who immigrated from Vienna to Chicago following the Anschluss to escape Nazi persecution. Kohut developed this own theory, the psychology of the self and The Analysis of the Self was the first of several ground-breaking books.

¹⁰ Paul Grey is a psychoanalyst in Baltimore, MD.

¹¹ Lichtenberg, J. & Thieist, D. (2018). From Autism and Mutism to an Enlivened Self: A Case Narrative with reflections on Early Development. London and New York: Routledge.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joseph D. Lichtenberg

Joseph D. Lichtenberg, M.D. (1925–2021), was the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Psychoanalytic Inquiry, Director Emeritus of the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, past President of the International Council for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology, and member of the Program Committee of the American Psychoanalytic Association. He has authored and edited numerous books and articles, including Psychoanalysis and Motivation, Craft and Spirit: A Guide to the Exploratory Psychotherapies and From Autism and Mutism to an Enlivened Self.

Elizabeth M. Carr

Elizabeth M. Carr, APRN, MSN, BC, is an Associate Editor of Psychoanalytic Inquiry. She is a Director Emeritus of the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis in Washington, D.C. and Co-Chair of the Psychoanalytic Training Program. She serves on the Advisory Board of the International Association of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology.