ABSTRACT

As we expand and complicate our understanding of the nature and meaning of holding processes, it becomes clear that the holding metaphor is a multidimensional theme that emerges and reemerges throughout the lifespan. In this chapter, I examine the relevance of holding to themes of ruthlessness and hate as they manifest in the psy­ choanalytic situation. Although the analyst's understanding of, and response to, issues of hate have many roots in clinical theory, I again begin by examining the parental metaphor as it develops around these issues. A careful study of the contemporary parental metaphor is par­ ticularly useful in explicating aspects of the analyst's subjective strug­ gle when working with these issues.