Experiences with body-empathy. A report from psychoanalytic practice

Journal/Book: Forum Psychoanal. 1999; 15: 175 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10010, USA. Springer Verlag. 312-326.

Abstract: In the therapeutic situation it is evident that different reactions and sentiments may appear in the body of the therapist as a result of a sympathetic understanding of or empathy for the patient. They will be described here as ''body-empathy'' and a bodily experienced countertransference. By paying more attention to such processes and making use of them in the course of the therapy process an enhancement or extension of diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities can be achieved. After an initial definition as well as some comments on the developmental psychological foundations, a survey of the range of the manifold possible manifestations will be given through examples based on literature and from my own experience. Finally, on the basis of two case studies, I'll propose that such bodily founded working may be of great benefit for the therapist as well as for the patient and may also be helpful for the therapist as with regard to the danger of a ''burn-out''.

Note: Article Hess-Liebers W, Alte Dohrener Str 76C, D-30173 Hannover, GERMANY

Keyword(s): PSYCHOLOGY

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