The rise of psychoanalysis in US hospitals: William Alanson White at St. Elizabeths, 1903-1937.

William Alanson White's views on the function and conceptualization of psychoanalysis shaped the practice of the analytic method in the hospital setting in the United States. Here I explore White's original work and maintain that his understanding of transference, the unconscious, symbolism, language, and defense mechanisms were rooted in both traditional intrapsychic and individualistically oriented conceptions and influenced by his orientation toward social psychiatry. In line with Progressive Era ideals, White considered the new science of psychoanalysis important for healing both the individual as well as society; this mutual influence helped shape the evolution of psychoanalytic principles and informed the treatment of patients undergoing psychoanalysis at St. Elizabeths Hospital.

The rise of psychoanalysis in US hospitals: William Alanson White at St. Elizabeths, 1903-1937 / El auge del psicoanálisis en los hospitales de EEUU: William Alanson White en St. Elizabeths, 1903-1937

Abstract William Alanson White's views on the function and conceptualization of psychoanalysis shaped the practice of the analytic method in the hospital setting in the United States. Here I explore White's original work and maintain that his understanding of transference, the unconscious, symbolism, language, and defense mechanisms were rooted in both traditional intrapsychic and individualistically oriented conceptions and influenced by his orientation toward social psychiatry. In line with Progressive Era ideals, White considered the new science of psychoanalysis important for healing both the individual as well as society; this mutual influence helped shape the evolution of psychoanalytic principles and informed the treatment of patients undergoing psychoanalysis at St. Elizabeths Hospital.

Resumen Las opiniones de William Alanson White sobre la función y la conceptualización del psicoanálisis dieron forma a la práctica del método analítico en el ámbito hospitalario de los EEUU. Aquí exploro el trabajo original de White y sostengo que su comprensión de la transferencia, el inconsciente, el simbolismo, el lenguaje y los mecanismos de defensa estaban enraizados tanto en las concepciones intrapsíquicas tradicionales como en las de orientación individualista e influenciadas por su orientación hacia la psiquiatría social. Conforme con los ideales de la Era Progresista, White consideró que la nueva ciencia del psicoanálisis era importante para curar tanto al individuo como a la sociedad; esta influencia mutua ayudó a dar forma a la evolución de los principios psicoanalíticos y mostró el tratamiento de los pacientes sometidos a psicoanálisis en el Hospital St. Elizabeths.

Therapists-in-training experiences of working with transfer clients: One relationship terminates and another begins.

Data from interviews with 12 graduate-level trainees about their experiences of working with clients who had been transferred to them from another therapist were analyzed using consensual qualitative research. Trainees reported a range of helpful and hindering aspects about the transfer experience related to the client (e.g., client had experienced a prior termination and transfer, client had severe character pathology), the prior therapist (e.g., prior therapist prepared client for transfer, prior therapists did not process their termination with client), themselves (e.g., participant was open to addressing grief, participant was fearful of rejection), supervision (e.g., the supervisor provided important feedback on dealing with loss, the supervisor failed to address the unique nature of transferring), training (e.g., there was not adequate readings on termination and transfer, there was no readings on transfers), and clinic practices (e.g., meeting with the prior therapist and current therapist facilitated process, having clients end treatment with debt hindered the development of the new relationship). Participants also provided recommendations for improving the transfer process. Implications of these findings for clinical practice, training, and research are addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record