The darkness of night.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The darkness of night.
Authors: Madonna, John
Source: Modern Psychoanalysis. 2014, Vol. 39 Issue 2, p166-185. 20p.
Subjects: Countertransference (Psychology), Fortitude, Psychological aspects of aging, Death & psychology, Night, Psychology
Abstract: This article discusses the difficulty of establishing and maintaining emotional presence and connection when analysts work with their own difficulties of aging, illness and the prospect of death. In such situations the analyst is caught between the need to care for him or herself, as well as attending to the treatment needs of the patient. In this effort the analyst is challenged by the demands of heightened transferential inductions, as well as the stimulation of multiple subjective countertransferential states. The course can be an uncertain one and the angst which is so often inherent in such circumstances can be experienced as an intolerable darkness of night. Mitigating that darkness requires skill, fortitude, the help of others and the capacity for transcendence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Modern Psychoanalysis is the property of Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:This article discusses the difficulty of establishing and maintaining emotional presence and connection when analysts work with their own difficulties of aging, illness and the prospect of death. In such situations the analyst is caught between the need to care for him or herself, as well as attending to the treatment needs of the patient. In this effort the analyst is challenged by the demands of heightened transferential inductions, as well as the stimulation of multiple subjective countertransferential states. The course can be an uncertain one and the angst which is so often inherent in such circumstances can be experienced as an intolerable darkness of night. Mitigating that darkness requires skill, fortitude, the help of others and the capacity for transcendence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:03615227