Couples in the Playspace

SUMMARY

The present paper presents, and illustrates with clinical material, a self-psychological approach to the use of dreams in a couples session. The approach suggested stresses a playful, metaphorical, form of communication.

Freud (1914, p. 154) used the term spielraum, orplayspace, as a metaphor for the analytic atmosphere that allows the unfolding of a transferential process. Play, in the sense of developing a spirit of freedom, curiosity, and exploration, is necessary to the “growth of a healthy self.” It is very similar to the serious play that Winnicott (1953) described as occurring in an “intermediate area of experience.” This sense of playspace, and the creation of safety for it, underlies the approach of the present paper. A self-psychological approach to dreams can lend itself extremely well to working in a couples setting. Dreams provide an excellent opportunity for the development of a playful and metaphorical communication both between therapist and patient and between the two partners in the couple. This can deepen the couple's relationship as well as the curative process in each patient.

Key Words:

• Couples
• dreams
• self psychology