The Other Patient

Abstract

This paper argues for the widening of perspective in the understanding of the functioning of the analytic process. By focusing on the complementary half of the bi-directional communication from one unconscious to another - the half that remains outside the analyst's conscious understanding or experience - it advocates that the conceptualization of the work we do can be enriched without recourse to changes in technique. Refusing to lose sight of the fact that the analyst's unconscious is, unbeknownst to him, constantly conveying messages to the analysand who then responds in accordance with these communications. This can only deepen our appreciation of the analysand's internal world and of the process of analysis. A selection of writings by psychoanalytic, philosophical and infant psychology authors as well as clinical material is enlisted to support the argument.