Beyond Fear and Pity

Psychoanal Rev. 2022 Sep;109(3):287-308. doi: 10.1521/prev.2022.109.3.287.

Abstract

This essay attempts to expand the traditional model of negative countertransference by giving it a Lacanian twist. The author uses theories and concepts from Freud, Winnicott, and Lacan in order to explore the affective dimension of countertransference in two cases of trans-identified patients. In the first case, the author shows that wanting to do good was counterproductive, while in the second vignette maintaining a position of neutrality allowed the author to go beyond fear and pity, which led to a dynamic resolution.

Keywords: bedrock of death; castration; countertransference; hate; law of desire; neutrality.

MeSH terms

  • Countertransference*
  • Fear*
  • Humans