The Work of the Psychoanalyst: Reflections on Countertransference with Institutionalized Youth Patients

Abstract

In this work, we briefly describe present-day, postmodern evolution of the family and the attention centers that both the government and the private sector have established when this fails. The birth of child psychoanalysis and its application in one of those centers, forging roots for further psychoanalytic development, is briefly described. The importance of countertransference and analyst supervision for those treating traumatized patients left without a family is discussed, as is an institution that altruistically rescues these children; the function of a psychoanalyst and his/her avatars is shown by way of three clinical cases when a strong countertransference obviously occurred in him/her. Finally, reflections are made about the importance of handling countertransference with the analyst’s supervisor.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The patients’ names, as well as their personal data, were changed or omitted in accordance to international standards to protect their privacy rights and not interfere with legal procedures involved in their possible adoption.

The authorization to publish the clinical material and description of the foster institution involved was provided in written form by the Directive Board of Hogar Dulce Hogar A.C.

There is no conflict of interest in the published material; the work is original and has not been presented to any other forum or editorial board.

All the authors read and approved the written material.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ruth Axelrod Praes

Ruth Axelrod Praes, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, is President of the Asociación Psicoanalítica Mexicana (APM); Board member, International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA); and Active member, Federación Psicoanalítica de América Latina (FEPAL).

Benny Weiss Steider

Benny Weiss Steider, Ph.D., is Professor at the FES-Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Professor, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; and Ph.D. student, APM.

Juan Azar Andere

Juan Azar Andere is a Psychoanalytic student at the APM.