Abstract
The first great bridge between psychoanalysis and social work came with the concepts of ego psychology which provided a synthesis between the worlds of the social order and the psychological depths. Current psychoanalytic theorists now question whether any one psychological theory is sufficient to describe the complexity of human experience, and suggest that each theory has a piece of the truth because it states something that is correct about the patient at a particular time in the treatment. Adherence to multiple theories makes a complex problem for the clinical practitioner, who must decide from which perspective to respond to the clinical material of the moment. Psychoanalytic theorists are also questioning the degree to which it is actually the content of the therapist's interpretations which brings about change in the patient. This article suggests that these developments in psychoanalysis, with their emphasis on therapeutic flexibility and the importance of the relationship will renew and reinvigorate the bridge between psychoanalysis and clinical social work.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Briar, S. & Miller, H. (1971).Problems and issues in social casework. New York: Columbia University Press.
Eissler, K.R. (1953). The effect of the structure of the ego on psychoanalytic technique.Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association, 1: 104–143.
Etchegoyen, R.H. (1991). Psychoanalysis during the last decade: Clinical and theoretical aspects.Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 11 (1 & 2). 88–106
Fenichel, O. (1941).Problems of psychoanalytic technique. New York: The Psychoanalytic Quarterly.
Gedo, J. & Goldberg, A. (1973).Models of the mind: A psychoanalytic theory. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Gedo, J. (1979).Beyond interpretation: Toward a revised theory for psychoanalysis. New York: International Universities Press.
Goldfried, M. (1980). Toward the delineation of therapeutic change principles.American Psychologist, 35(11), 991–999.
Greenson, R. (1967).The technique and practice of psychoanalysis. New York: International Universities Press.
Hamilton, G. (1937). Basic concepts in social casework,Family, 18:147. Cited in Hollis, F. (1970). The psychosocial approach to the practice of casework,Theories of social casework. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (R. Roberts, R. Nee, eds.)
Hollis, F. (1970). The psychosocial approach to the practice of casework.Theories of social casework. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (R. Roberts, R. Nee, eds.)
Kohut, H. (1984).How does analysis cure? Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Meissner, W.W. (1991). A decade of psychoanalytic praxis,Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 11(1 & 2), 30–64.
Mitchell, S. (1991). Wishes, needs, and interpersonal negotiations,Psychoanalytic Inquiry, 11 (1 & 2), 147–180.
Pine, F. (1985).Developmental theory and clinical process. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Pine, F. (1990).Drive, ego, object, and self New York: Basic Books.
Schafer, R. (1983).The analytic attitude. New York: Basic Books.
Wallerstein, R. (1988). One psychoanalysis or many?International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 69 (1), 5–21.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Phillips, D.G. Integration and alternatives: Some current issues in psychoanalytic theory. Clin Soc Work J 21, 247–256 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756369
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756369