ABSTRACT
The analyst brings the psychoanalytic theory of different layers of psychic functioning and of the existence of the unconscious into practice in the consultation process by facilitating a 'switching of the level' within the dialogue and by facing the 'unconscious emotional storm'. This makes it more difficult to discern the basic psychoanalytic principles underlying these diverse practices. In spite of the raw, concrete quality of the first meetings, a psychoanalytic psychotherapy was started which later was transformed into four sessions per week psychoanalysis. The observational stance, an attempt to triangulate the dialogue, was felt as a threat that could cause chaos and therefore had to be postponed to a future psychoanalytic process. Mr. J. had been referred to her by a prominent member of another Psychoanalytic Society. It is related both to the individual analyst, what he or she can work with and to the psychoanalytic subculture the analyst belongs to.
