A Discussion of “Field Theory and the Dream Sense: Continuing the Comparison of Interpersonal/Relational Theory and Bionian Field Theory”

Abstract

My discussion of Dr. Stern’s comparative paper (this issue) of Relational and Bionian perspectives focuses primarily on the difficulties in comparing two psychoanalytic clinical approaches. Each theory has its underlying assumptions, vocabulary, and sometimes idiosyncratic usages of the same term. Furthermore, when one individual trained in a particular perspective attempts to compare two theories, one of which he or she is steeped in, the comparison is always challenging. It is nearly impossible to ignore our own psychoanalytic training history which surely affects one’s views since we are often speaking different languages.