Internalization and symbolization in the process of psychoanalytic psychotherapy: A case study

Abstract

My aim is to describe the therapeutic effect of psychoanalytic psychotherapy by estimating the psychotherapeutic relationship from the viewpoint of symbolization? reflectiveness, which forms the framework for my consideration. The psychic development takes place as an evolution of symbolic and reflective functions, which proceed as an epigenetic process in successful psychotherapy. I formulate symbolic function by using Charles Peirce's sign terminology. These signs are index, icon, and conventional symbol, which form the corresponding three modes of symbolic function. The human mind binds physical observations, which come from him:herself and:or from the outer world, by means of symbolic function and the reflective capacity; thus psychic structures and meanings are formed. A model of symbolization?reflectiveness in the psyche is presented. A longitudinal psychotherapy process is described to illustrate the patient's capacity to process the undifferentiated anxiety into psychic differentiation by means of the epigenetic development of indexical, iconic, and verbal symbolization. The emergence of the reflective self is a crucial phase to consolidate the stable core identity. The nature of symbolization ?reflectiveness in the human mind is twofold: on the one hand, symbolic function creates psychic structures from physical observations, and on the other hand, the human being can then, using the reflective capacity, give to these psychic structures meanings that are individual and permanent. I use the symbolization? reflectiveness model for the consideration of the psychic development in the process of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. A detailed psychotherapy process of a borderline patient illustrates these dynamic phenomena of therapy.