“Elisa” Drowning in a River of Tears: Where Does Power Dwell?

Abstract

“Elisa” is a treatment report I presented during the 2015 Toronto IARPP Conference, for its discussion in Plenary 3 “Issues of Power and Authority in Relational Psychoanalysis.” A woman in her 30s, Elisa seeks treatment during a severe anxiety crisis. A 3-year-long process on a once a week basis is described, focusing in aspects to favor discussion around the plenary subject. Special attention is given to the phenomenological description of the analyst’s subjective experience in the process of the co-construction of meaning. Questions about the curative factors involved in this treatment are raised.

Notes

¹ We explore this during the interviews and I understand the reasons. I’m not including these here for length and confidentiality reasons.

² This was not long after we had begun.

³ Audio of this song for some seconds during presentation.

⁴ Although this ongoing forum of many voices turned persecuting and questioning at times (the Greek chorus is a part of it), it was of great importance for me; as it also brought concepts and ideas I used as referents, helping me clarify my mind and hold myself on in my function.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Francesca Colzani

Francesca Colzani, Ps.U.C., studied Psychology in Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and completed post-graduate studies at the Chilean Psychoanalytic Association Institute. She belongs to the group that constituted the IARPP Chilean Chapter. An accredited clinical psychologist and supervisor, she has been in clinical practice and worked as clinical supervisor and teacher since 1979. She is currently a staff member at Universidad Católica’s Psychology School’s “Magister in Psychotherapy and Relational Psychoanalysis” program. She is also a visual artist.