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| Orlando Group Therapist works from a relational perspective and has 4 years postdoctoral training and 30 years experience mmm |
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m mm Bill Player, Ph.D. group therapist • psychoanalyst Orlando • Florida x |
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RELATIONAL GROUP THEORY "Relational Analysis* provides the theoretical underpinnings for my experiential work, helping me understand in greater depth what is going on in a client's life, in myself and within the therapeutic interaction."
Some basic understandings: • Underlying all Relational Psychoanalytic work is a belief in every human being's fundamental need for intimate emotional connections or "attachments" with others. As children, like little computers, we develop relational programs which, out of awareness, guide our relational efforts throughout our lives. In spite of our best attempts to make each new relationship different and better than the last, we continue to repeat the original drama, with new actors, and yet, each time with great hope for and conviction of a different outcome. Our mental computers have been programmed and the formatting can only be changed with outside help, i.e., with the aid of a good psychotherapist. • Relational Psychoanalysis focuses on these sticky age-old patterns that have continued negatively affect current relationships with friends, lovers, and spouses, and, will in time also emerge in the relationship with the therapist. The client invariably attempts to engage the therapist as a new actor in his or her old drama. It is up to the analyst to point out how this is being done and to avoid getting sucked into a pathological reinactment with the client. By remaining empathically attuned, steady, and authentic the analyst provides a safe place to explore new and healthier ways of finding satisfying emotional connection. As new patterns begin to replace the old in the therapeutic setting the client can then experience positive carryover in his or her life outside the therapy. This results in truly positive changes in marriage and other significant relationships. • It is important not to confuse Relational with Classical Freudian Psychoanalysis. Relational Analysis is revolutionary in both theory and technique. Contemporary Relational Theory is based on fundamental human yearnings for and defenses against deep emotional connection with others, not on conflicts regarding infantile drives for sex and aggression, as was held by Freudian theorists. Regarding technique, the Relational analyst engages the client in a truly authentic manner and is therefore an active co-participant, along with the client, in the therapeutic process. This recommendation is quite different from that of Classical Technique which recommended that the analyst maintain anonymity and avoid emotional interplay with the client. Clearly, a client's experience of being in a Relational Analysis would be quite different from being in a Classical Freudian Analysis, and from my point of view, a much better one. • Relational Analysis can be a richly exciting and enjoyable experience. It generally appeals to individuals who have above average intelligence and reflective capacity. It is certainly not a quick fix; it is not a magic potion. It is hard work; and, it takes time. However, relational analysis most often proves to be a truly extraordinary life transforming experience, certainly worth the time and expense invested. *In a revolutionary surge away from Classical Freudian tradition, Relational Psychoanalysis has, in the last ten years, become the leading edge and driving force for continuing development in psychoanalytic theory and technique. Relational Psychoanalysis was formed when leading proponants of several non-Freudian psychoanalytic schools decided to work under a common, unified banner. The theoretical schools, from which this new unified theory was comprised, include Object Relations, Self Psychology, Intersubjectivity, Attachment, and Interpersonal.
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