The Sexual Illusionist

Abstract

In a letter to Carl Jung in 1902, Sigmund Freud wrote, “the cure is effected by love.” Indeed, I believe, like Freud, that every therapy is a love relationship of a sort and that the analytic work is an act of love. But how is this accomplished in the case of perversions, since they are essentially the antithesis of love and intimacy? Among the greatest challenges such patients present for the analyst are how to humanize those who dehumanize and how to teach them to love. This paper presents the case of Cain, a man who learned to love in his analysis, but whose very love resulted in the need to terminate.

Keywords:

• erotic transference
• love
• psychoanalysis
• perversion
• sexuality.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Danielle Knafo

Danielle Knafo, PhD is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst. She is a professor at Long Island University’s clinical psychology doctoral program and an associate professor and clinical consultant at NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. Dr. Knafo is a prolific writer; she has published nine books and dozens of articles on topics that range from psychoanalysis, gender, sexuality, and perversion to art and creativity, trauma and psychosis, and technology. She maintains a private practice in Manhattan and Great Neck, NY.