ABSTRACT
This introductory chapter describes ego-strengthening as it is involved in traditional psychoanalytic psychotherapy starting with Freud’s model of the ego as an organizing principle in human development. The history of ego-strengthening is traced from its early roots in the work of Freud and Janet who practiced hypnosis and early concepts of rapport and transference. The historical review of transference leads into a discussion of the therapeutic alliance and its components of respect and interest, interpersonal safety, consistency, empathy, and resonance. Fusional alliances and symbiosis are addressed in terms of their roles in ego-strengthening during psychotherapy. Case material illustrates the roles of transference and countertransference and the therapist as a transitional object. The ego-strengthening spectrum is described along with the SARI model of the stages of treatment.
