Remarks on transference-countertransference in psychotic states

Abstract

Clinical material of patients in psychotic states indicates that in those states the transference is directed into the therapist's body. The emotional experience thus created in the therapist, which is usually called countertransference in its broad meaning, should rather be seen as very early forms of object relationships. The complexities of the above easily influence the analyst in her role of interpreter. Therefore in the actual work with these patients the verbal interpretation, which represents an elaboration of the transference, in the author's view should be seen as countertransference.