The Clinical Exchange Techniques Derived from Self and Motivational Systems

In this practical sequel to the same authors' "Self and Motivational Systems" (TAP, 1992), Lichtenberg, Lachmann, and Fosshage offer ten principles of technique to guide the clinical exchange. These principles, which pertain equally to exploratory psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, integrate the findings of self psychology with recent developmental research that has refined our understanding of the self as a center of experience and motivation. The ten principles of technique not only provide a valuable framework for attending to a wide range of motivations, but lead to basic revisions in the theory and technical management of affects, transference, and dreams.

Introduction.Case Summary and Effects of Lived Experiences on the Patient's Self and Motivation Systems.Clinical Exchange: 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990: Ten Principles of Technique.Affective Experience: The Golden Threat in the Clinical Exchange.Transferences: How We Understand and Work with Them.Dreams: The Special Opportunity to Explore Provided by Sleep Mentation.Sexuality, Affection, and Erotization: Implications for the Treatment of Sexual Abuse.Modes of Therapeutic Action and How Our Technical Recommendations Promote Them.Challenging Questions and Our Responses.

Joseph D. Lichtenberg, M.D.,is Editor-in-Chief ofPsychoanaytic Inquiry, Director Emeritus of theInstitute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, and past President of the International Council for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology. He has authored and edited numerous books and articles, including Craft and Spirit: A Guide to the Exploratory Psychotherapies (Analytic Press, 2005) and, with Frank Lachmann and James Fosshage, A Sprit of Inquiry: Communication in Psychoanalysis(Analytic Press, 2002). Frank M. Lachmann, Ph.D., is a founding faculty member of the Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity, Training and Supervising Analyst, Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, and Clinical Assistant Professor at the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. He has contributed over 100 articles to the journal literature, and is author of Transforming Aggression (Aronson, 2000), and co-author of Self and Motivational Systems (Analytic Press, 1992), The Clinical Exchange (Analytic Press, 1996), and Infant Research and Adult Treatment (Analytic Press, 2002). James L. Fosshage, Ph.D., is Cofounder, Board Director, and faculty member, National Institute for the Psychotherapies, NYC; founding faculty member, Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity, NYC; and Clinical Professor of Psychology, New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis.