Twin phenomena during a transformation process

Abstract

This article presents the development of a clinical outpatient analytic group and advances a view on twin phenomena in dreams. The influence of real and transferential twin experiences on the dynamic matrix is also shown. The way diffuse ego-boundaries and narcissistic injuries in the group lead to self-exclusion is discussed. The group’s struggle with autonomy–dependency conflicts is reflected upon with reference to lack of differentiation between self- and object-representations as they are also known in twin psychodynamics. It is demonstrated how the group intersubjectively connects with the psychotic experience of one participant. This leads to the group eventually being able to serve as a transitional space and deal with deep issues by managing projective and splitting mechanisms in both psychotic and non-psychotic transference and countertransference. Foulkes’ concept of the transpersonal is used to define how these intense occurrences lead to a beneficial outcome in the treatment of severe psychic disorders.