Object Relations Therapy

Transference

Unconscious redirection of feelings from one person to another

When we encounter a person who reminds us of another from our past (often childhood), we add our feelings about our old friend

References:

Counterransference:

Therapists feelings towards client (therapist reaction to the client)

Bitter, J. (2009). Theory and practice of family therapy and counseling.

Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Henricus L., V., & Hendriksen, M. (2008). Predictive value of object relations for therapeutic alliance and outcome in psychotherapy for depression: An exploratory study. 196.

Therapy Goals

Therapist Role & Function

Creating a therapeutic holding space

The recognition/reworking of defenses required in the family

Enhancing families capacity

Return family to appropriate level

Remaining individual needs

Predictive value of object relations for therapeutic alliance and outcome in psychotherapy for depression: an exploratory study.

Make the unconscious conscious (unblocking)

Follow and track emotions

Create therapeutic holding space

Use transference & counter-transference

Techniques

The "Good Enough Environment" -->Holding Environment

Key Concepts

Winnicott

Splitting

Klein/Fairbairn

Physical and psychological care provided to the child by care giver. If care giver is able to meet the child’s needs and the child feels they are reliable they will feel safe and secure.

Similar to patient-client relationship -- important safe holding environment for family to feel comfortable

Child divides objects in their minds as either good or bad as they begin to internalize these objects.

Interpretation

Behavioral interpretation

Because clause

Analysis of resistance

Enlarging the field of participation

Present

Introjection

Projection

Klein/Fairbairn

Involves...

When a subject takes into itself the behaviors, attributes or other external objects, especially of other people.

Object relations theory with family systems

Projection takes aspects of one's internal world and projects them onto external subjects.

This can be a defense mechanism where it is used to expel and externalize uncomfortable inner thoughts and feelings.

1. Deep listening

2. Emotional tracking

3. Holding environment- Creating a safe place

4. Analysis of transference and counter transference

Forms of Attachment

Secure Attachment

Insecure- Disorganized

• Caregivers behaviour
• Childs behaviour

Insure-Avoidance Attachment

Insure-Ambivalent Attachment

Bowlby

Foundational Attachment Theory

Main Idea:

• A child comes into the world with a need of attachment to a single object (usually the mother)
• It is about the care, nurturance and responsiveness from the caregiver

Parental responses lead to the development of patterns of attachment --> future

Object Relations Therapy

Theorists

Freud

Definition

• Free association
• Freud's psychosexual theory
• Transference
• Defense mechanisms
• Dream analysis
• Structural personality theory (Id, Ego, Super Ego)
• Object Relations Theory

" The process of developing the self as one is growing up, in relation to others in the environment"

By:Taylor Brigham, Olivia Amiel & Marina Conley

Klein

Phantasy & primary process

The Theory Suggests...

Preconceptions of infants needs or desires that is given meaning when added to an object -- help infants tell the difference between reality and fantasy

Part-Object:

People relate to others and situations in their adult lives as shaped by family experience during infancy

Infants are unable to relate to whole objects/people so they relate to part objects

Example: child relates hunger to mothers breast

Internal Object

EXAMPLE

Images or internal representations within the child of external objects -- Klein describes interal objects as a memory idea or fantasy about person, place or thing.

An adult who experienced neglect or abuse in infancy would experience similar behaviour from others who remind them of the neglectful or abusive person from the past (parent).