Projective Identification and Psychotherapeutic Technique

An examination of projective identification and its clinical uses from a Kleinian perspective. The author puts forward the hypothesis that identification is the patient's way of mastering significant trauma.

About the Author :
Thomas Ogden, MD, published his debut novel, 'The Parts Left Out', in 2014. He has also published twelve books of essays on the theory and practice of psychoanalysis, and on the writings of Frost, Borges, Kafka, and others. His most recent works of non-fiction include 'The Analyst's Ear and the Critic's Eye: Rethinking Psychoanalysis and Literature'; 'Creative Readings: Essays on Seminal Analytic Works'; 'Rediscovering Psychoanalysis'; and 'This Art of Psychoanalysis: Dreaming Undreamt Dreams and Interrupted Cries. '. His work has been translated into twenty languages. Dr Ogden was awarded the 2012 Sigourney Award for his "contributions to the field of psychoanalysis"; the 2010 Haskell Norman Prize for "outstanding achievement as a psychoanalytic clinician, teacher and theoretician"; and the 2004 'International Journal of Psychoanalysis' Award for "The Most Important Paper of the Year." He practices psychoanalysis in San Francisco, where he teaches both psychoanalysis and creative writing.

Review :
'Two things you should know about this book: The first is that Dr. Ogden illuminates some of the experiences with patients that we must bear in order to be of help. The second is that Dr. Ogden's writing offers a sense of the attitudes and aptitudes which are the attainment of such extraordinary clinicians as Elvin Semrad. This latter aspect of the book makes it particularly special for to deliver in print the feeling and spirit of the finest clinical thinking is a remarkable achievement. The gift is not a common one.'- Jeffrey J. Andresen, M.D., Contemporary Psychiatry'This very interesting book broadens the concepts of projective identification and includes rich clinical material illustrating the technique involved in the use of the concept. The major clinical contribution of this book is the focus of the patient's presentation in treatment of an identification with a significant other for purposes of mastering traumatic experiences. The patient's attempts to enmesh the therapist in a role of enactment or actualization are illustrated in a number of clinical examples. To Ogden, projective identification involves an interpersonal enactment or actualization. Unconscious feelings are evoked in the other through the process of projecting and splitting...Ogden proceeds to discuss the concept from its origination by Klein through to its use by others, including Bion, Searles and Langs. He addresses interpretation versus silent containment, and the importance of containing the patient's projections. His chapter "Issues of Technique", provide rich clinical material which illustrates the concept.Ogden's thinking on projective identification integrates Klein's, Bion's and Grotstein's thinking with that of Winnicott. Containment and the holding environment play a large part in Ogden's technical recommendations which serve more often to ease therapist anxiety and distress and which force material back into the patient which should be held 'in reverie' (Bion) for the patient.'- Janet Schumacher Finell