Playground of Psychoanalytic Therapy

the long version

"Taking as its point of departure Freud's notion of transference as a "playground" and building on the foundations of the "independent tradition" of British object relations theory and modern infancy research, The Playground of Psychoanalytic Therapy proffers a new understanding of the role of play in the clinical situation. Jean Sanville takes the reader on a fascinating journey in which the safe playground of the therapeutic situation, the therapist's playful engagement of the patient, and the latter's emergent ability to embrace playfully the liberating possibilities of psychoanalytic therapy figure as major signposts. Following a summary of research findings about the close relationship between meaning-making and playing in infancy, Sanville presents two cases that exemplify the differences involved in doing therapy with children who can, and cannot, play. She then proceeds to a series of analogous adult cases, paying special attention to the diverse ways in which a stunted or conflict-ridden capacity to play is implicated in psychopathology, even as the maturation of this capacity is intrinsic to successful treatment.". "The Playground of Psychoanalytic Therapy opens to the playfulness of the therapeutic encounter in unique ways. Sanville describes the literal scene of her practice, elaborating the diverse ways in which aspects of physical context affect "inner space." Taking the mother/infant relationship as metaphor of the relationship between therapist and patient, she shows how countertransference, in its playful dimension, helps render regressions benign, thereby facilitating the patient's capacity for what Balint termed a "new beginning." Readers will find here a wealth of ideas that challenge analytic dogma: dreams more as private playthings than vehicles of disowned impulses; psychoanalytic dialogue as analogous to the social play of infancy; interpretations as addressing not only psychopathology but innate reparative inclinations as well. Termination too is freshly viewed; according to Sanville, therapy infused with playfulness can lead to playful endings, with the timing and mode of termination prescribed to a large extent by patients themselves." "A moving chronicle of the playful discoveries and self-discoveries of a gifted clinician, The Playground of Psychoanalytic Therapy is a major exploration of Winnicott's claim that psychotherapy occurs "in the overlap of two areas of playing, that of the patient and that of the therapist." It will be read appreciatively by analysts, therapists, and developmentalists, all of whom will delight in Sanville's graceful style as they are edified--and playfully challenged--by her trenchant insights."--BOOK JACKET.