ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the contribution of a clinically sensitive process research program to address the question regarding what psychoanalytic process is. It argues in favor of epistemological and methodological pluralism as a basic attitude toward constructing a fruitful dialogue between science and hermeneutics within psychoanalysis to approach this phenomenon. This research approach seeks to examine two elements that are relevant for psychoanalytic process: the dyadic and interpersonal relevance of the patient–analyst encounter, and the implicit/unformulated domain of the therapeutic process. It proposes three simultaneous methodological approaches to access these elements: (1) the implementation of cumulative systematic case studies, (2) the systematic observation of in-session significant events, and (3) a micro-analytic approach to the specific phenomena occurring within relevant sequences of the patient–analyst interaction. The implementation of this proposal is illustrated through the study of affect regulation between patient and therapist as a clinically relevant component of analytic process. Findings from this research program are discussed regarding their contribution in the path to link theory-driven “top-down” research, guided by psychoanalytic concepts, and “bottom-up” research that does justice to real psychoanalytic practice.
