ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how traditional psychoanalysis and most forms of therapy are trailing edge theories, meaning that they focus on the repetitive transference, and therefore stress the patient’s pathology. This chapter describes a new model from the perspective of Intersubjective Self Psychology which emphasizes the role of the patient’s healthy, active strivings for growth. After an introduction of the basic terms of ISP, the two basic transferences are discussed and identified by the terms the leading edge and trailing edge. In addition the differing clinical orientation of each form of transferences is discussed as the repetitive transference (trailing edge) and the generative transference (leading edge). Based on this differentiation between transferences, two modes of therapeutic action are identified: the therapeutic action when the selfobject tie is ruptured and the trailing edge is in the foreground, and the therapeutic action when the selfobject tie is intact and the leading edge is engaged. When the trailing edge is in the foreground the therapeutic interaction may require traditional forms of interpretation. When the leading edge is engaged, it is the experience of the selfobject tie itself that is curative. In this case Interpretation may be counter indicated but, when used, is in the service of strengthening the generative transference.
