Elective: Self-Disclosure in Relational Psychoanalysis

Adult Psychoanalytic Training (APT)
2021-22, 2nd Trimester — Fridays, 3:30-5:00pm
John Cardinali, PsyD

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January 28, 2022

[20 pages]

Perhaps no issue related to self-disclosure is more controversial than analyst disclosure of erotic countertransference. In this paper, Davies provides a rationale for doing so with her patient.

Reading questions:

• What is Davies’ justification for disclosing her erotic countertransference?
• What do you see as the impact of her disclosing her countertransference to her patient?
• Can you imagine a situation in which you might do the same?

Davies, J.M. (1998). Between the Disclosure and Foreclosure of Erotic Transference-Countertransference: Can Psychoanalysis Find a Place for Adult Sexuality? Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 8(6):747-766