Description of elements of psychoanalytic technique in a mental health center

Abstract

The Mental Health Center of Peristeri was established in 1990 and has gradually developed a range of clinical and therapeutic responses of psychoanalytic orientation. These responses are targeted on the treatment of disorders of DSM-IV Axis I and II and bear an educational, therapeutic and research character. Concerning duration, we follow Gabbard's definition that sets a minimum standard of six months as a condition for regarding psychotherapy as a long-term one. Our work is based primarily on a transference-focused model, as it is defined by Kernberg. The theoretical equipment of our intervention consists mainly of object-relations theory and contemporary Kleinian technique for adult psychotherapy, as well as the theoretical models of post-Kleinian authors, such as Joseph, Ogden and others (Racher, Meltzer and Ferro). Generally, irrespective of the specific psychoanalytic theory adopted (Freud, Klein, Bion, Winnicott), we assume that psychic life is for the most part unconscious. As a result, transference represents the primary source for understanding the patient, while counter-transference provides unique information on patient's intrapsychic life and, generally, on what the patient “places” to others. The main goal of this study is the description of a psychoanalytic intervention model that “absorbs” contemporary psychoanalytic theories, without being technically vague, and responds to a broad spectrum of pathology related to personality dysfunction.