ABSTRACT

In this chapter, the author discusses a particular aspect of the role of the analyst's mind in constructing the psychological world of the child patient. The material is drawn from the case of "Michael" who, at 6 years of age, continued to express affect and ideas through his body and seemed blocked in his capacity for symbolic representation. Michael's analysis suggested that his confusing experiences of an adoring and raging mother had impinged on the process of self–other differentiation, so that often he did not distinguish between the contents of his mind and those of mother's. During the analysis, there was a gradual move from the enactment of feelings and thoughts via his body to a capacity for mental representation. As Michael's mental processes developed, it became possible for the author to use interpretations to address the inner confusion and Michael was able to use them, reducing his anxiety.