It’s Not Easy to Be a Field Theorist: Commentary on "Cartesian and Post-Cartesian Trends in Relational Psychoanalysis"

Journal title QUADERNI DI GESTALT
Author/s Lynne Jacobs
Publishing Year 2016 Issue 2015/2 Language Italian
Pages 14 P. 103-116 File size 207 KB
DOI 10.3280/GEST2015-002007
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This article is a commentary written in response to a chapter written by Atwood, Stolorow and Orange, in which they critique some of the ideas of the New York relational psychoanalytic approach. It is written as part of an on-going "conversation" between two closely allied psychoanalysis schools of thought: the intersubjectivity theory and the American relational school (most prominently represented by Stephen Mitchell and Lew Aron), and Gestalt therapy. My commentary tackles the epistemological similarities between Gestalt therapy and contemporary psychoanalysis, and addresses different perspectives on "here and now" and mutual recognition. Furthermore, based on the field-theoretical approach and on the example of some statements by Isadore From, the Gestalt therapy theory of "interruptions of contact" and of contact episodes is critically discussed.

Keywords: Gestalt therapy, relational psychoanalysis, intersubjectivity theory, "here and now", mutual recognition, critique of the "interruptions of contact" theory

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Lynne Jacobs, Non è facile essere un teorico del campo: un commento all’articolo "Cartesian and Post-Cartesian Trends in Relational Psychoanalysis" in "QUADERNI DI GESTALT" 2/2015, pp 103-116, DOI: 10.3280/GEST2015-002007