Interpretation as Carrier of Selfobject Functions: Catalyzing Inborn Potential

ABSTRACT

This paper highlights the importance of verbally articulated interpretations as uniquely important because inherent in interpretations are selfobject functions. In other words, interpretations are the carriers of selfobject functions, the internalization of which are needed to concurrently strengthen one’s sense of self and to modify defensive structures. When an interpretation or genetic reconstruction that carries selfobject functions is experienced as accurate, it can be almost instantly structured building for a patient as long as the patient and therapist share a sense of connectedness and permeable boundaries. The paper discusses three verbatim interactions with three different patients that illustrates how interpretations catalyze inborn potentials to become sustained abiding psychological capacities. I then discuss a verbatim interaction with a fourth patient to suggest how we might work with a patient who is not as yet open to interpretative work.

KEYWORDS:

• Interpretation
• selfobject
• internalization
• capacities
• permeable boundaries

Notes

¹ It is these types of interpretations, I believe, that led Winnicott to suggest that interpretations were more for the therapist than the patient. Winnicott said, “I think I interpret mainly to let the patient know the limits of my understanding. The principle is that it is the patient and only the patient who has the answers” (Winnicott, 1971, p. 87). In contradistinction, Inherent in the self psychological and intersubjective understanding of interpretations, however, is the assumption that interpretations benefit both partners in the dyad.

² Tolpin was also well aware that verbally articulated interpretations conveyed important implicit meanings.

³ The same is true for enactments, thus I disagree with Renik’s (1993) view that they are necessary.

⁴ Some may wonder if these responses were merely pathological accommodations, but clinically I did not experience them as such. Pathological accommodation did not play a prominent role in the three cases.

⁵ According to Kohut empathy is not a selfobject function, but facilitates other healing selfobject functions.

⁶ I would like to thank Lynn Preston for helping me understand this idea.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard A. Geist

Richard Geist, Ed.D., received his undergraduate degree and his doctorate in Psychology from Harvard University and for 30 years was Clinical Instructor, Department of Psychiatry (Psychology), Harvard Medical School. He is a Founding Member, Faculty, Supervising analyst, and former member of the Board of Directors of The Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis. In addition, Dick has been on the Executive Board of the International Association for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology and is currently a council member. Dr. Geist was one of the first psychologists in Boston to embrace Self Psychology theory and practice, and he has been teaching and supervising it for over 30 years. He has written numerous papers on clinical self psychology, including papers on how empathy heals, re-conceptualizing the oedipal complex, boundaries in treatment, eating disorders, the forward edge, and several papers on connectedness between analyst and patient. He has been a senior supervising psychologist at Children’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dick maintains a private practice in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy in Newton, Massachusetts where he sees children, adolescents, adults, and couples. He also supervises privately, teaches private self psychology seminars, and directs a self psychology study group.