Witnessing and Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis and Witnessing intertwines aspects of the history of psychoanalysis with the development of Philippe Réfabert's own thinking and clinical practice.

*Psychoanalysis and Witnessing* intertwines aspects of the history of psychoanalysis with the development of Philippe Réfabert's own thinking and clinical practice.

Réfabert's work invites analysts to reflect on the inception of psychic life. The author argues for a revision of drive theory and reflects on the psychic functioning of the analyst in the session. Réfabert forces the analyst to see the necessity of standing witness to acts left unacknowledged; he holds that in analysis witnessing is crucial.

With case material from the author's practice throughout, this book will be of great interest to psychoanalysts in practice and in training.

Autorentext

Philippe Réfabert is a psychoanalyst and prolific author based in Paris, France. His previous book, From Freud to Kafka, is also published by Routledge.

Klappentext

Psychoanalysis and Witnessing intertwines aspects of the history of psychoanalysis with the development of Philippe Réfabert's own thinking and clinical practice. Réfabert's work invites analysts to reflect on the inception of psychic life. The author argues for a revision of drive theory and reflects on the psychic functioning of the analyst in the session. Réfabert forces the analyst to see the necessity of standing witness to acts left unacknowledged; he holds that in analysis witnessing is crucial. With case material from the author's practice throughout, this book will be of great interest to psychoanalysts in practice and in training.

Inhalt

Part I: About the Originary 1. About a Limit Not Given at the Origin 2. A Transitional Psychic Matrix: A Proposal for Reflecting on Splitting and Fetishism 3. Maternal Donation and the Phallus: Consequences of a Construction 4. Rhythmic Concertation and Its Disruptions 5. On Expulsion Part II: On Witnessing 6. A Character, an Author, an Actor 7. Near the Originary, Where the Breath Fails 8. The Theory of Hysteria Hindered by the Absence of a Witness 9. The Witness: Subject of Psychoanalysis 10. In the Crevice of Time 11. Bearing the Other: The Two-Stage Birth of Psychoanalysis 12. Contribution to a Discussion on Bion's Work