Psychoanalysis and brief psychotherapy: some new considerations on the psychotherapeutic process

Abstract

This introductory paper describes the technique of brief analytic psychotherapy as has been developed in Lausanne. The author has tried to demonstrate that a single modification of the setting in comparison with psychoanalysis stresses the importance of the 'hic et nunc' in the therapeutic relationship. If this phenomenon becomes apparent to the therapist and is adequately interpreted, a natural associative process can develop where the analysis of transference and countertransference takes a primordial place. This process is comparable to psychoanalysis as far as certain transference movements are concerned, but the working mechanisms are different.