Basic Psychoanalytic Concepts: X. Interpretations and other Interventions

Abstract

Previous papers in this series have concentrated on concepts which relate to the communications brought by the patient and to the factors, in both patient and therapist, which either facilitate or hinder the free flow and understanding of these communications. However, in the discussionof working through(Sandler, Dare and Holder, 1970a) reference was made to those interventions of the analyst which aim at bringing about enduring changes in the patient, and to the need for continual elaboration and reinforcement of the analyst's interventions. Whilst the term ‘interpretation’ is often used in a general sense to refer to these interventions (at least, to the extent that they are verbal) it seems appropriate to examine the concept in some detail.