Filip Geerardyn

Psychoanalytic Single Cases Published in ISI-Ranked Journals: The Construction of an Online Archive

nique (e.g. music therapy, bodypacking, wilderness therapy, etc. were not included), (3) the case study is either the focus of the article or an illustrative vignette of sufficient size (more than 50% of the publication or longer than five pages), (4) the case study is written in English, French, or German, and (5) the case study presents an original analysis of therapeutic data. Four hundred and fifty-three cases were selected according to these criteria. The full text of 8 cases could not be obtained. The full texts of the remaining 445 articles were screened with the Inventory of Basic Information in Single Cases (IBISC), an ad hoc constructed inventory that assesses the presence of basic information on research method, patient, therapist, and therapy. The IBISC, the IBISC manual, and the full results of the screening are available at www.singlecasearchive.com. What follows is a concise overview of salient results of the screening.

A metasynthesis of published case studies through Lacan's L-schema: Transference in perversion

Transference in perversion is characterized by specific problems such as a defiant and polemic attitude, erotic transference, projections, and aggression. Such transference poses particular problems in the treatment of perversion and might render analytical work with these patients impossible. The authors propose that Lacans L‐schema can contribute to separating productive from counterproductive aspects of transference as it distinguishes between an Imaginary and a Symbolic dimension in transference. In this meta‐synthesis of 11 published case studies on sexual perversion, patterns of transference are analysed. On the Imaginary dimension, the authors found that patients with perversion tend to (un)consciously engage the analyst in a relationship characterized by identification, fusion and rivalry. On the Symbolic dimension, they found that perverse patients are able to question their motives, lapses, symptoms, and subjective identity. The thematic analysis revealed the importance of the position of the analyst in this work, which is described within the L‐schema as being the representative of the otherness in the Other. Implications for clinical practice and recommendations for further research are outlined.

Reading Balint group work through Lacan’s theory of the four discourses

In Balint groups, (para)medical professionals explore difficult interactions with patients by means of case presentations and discussions. As the process of Balint group work is not well understood, this article investigates Balint group meetings by making use of Lacan’s theory of the four discourses. Five Balint group case presentations and their subsequent group discussion were studied, resulting in the observation of five crucial aspects of Balint group work. First, Balint group participants brought puzzlement to the group, which is indicative of the structural impossibility Lacan situates at the basis of all discourse (1). As for the group discussion, we emphasize ‘hysterization’ as a crucial process in Balint group work (2), the supporting role of the discourse of the analyst (3) and the centrality of discourse interactions (4). Finally, the potential transformation of the initial puzzlement is discussed (5). We conclude by putting forth the uniqueness of Balint group work as well as the potential usefulness of our analysis as a framework for Balint group leaders and professionals in charge of continuing medical education.

Theoretical pluralism in psychoanalytic case studies

The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the scientific activity of different psychoanalytic schools of thought in terms of the content and production of case studies published on ISI Web of Knowledge. Between March 2013 and November 2013, we contacted all case study authors included in the online archive of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic case studies (www.singlecasearchive.com) to inquire about their psychoanalytic orientation during their work with the patient. The response rate for this study was 45%. It appears that the two oldest psychoanalytic schools, Object-relations psychoanalysis and Ego psychology or “Classical psychoanalysis” dominate the literature of published case studies. However, most authors stated that they feel attached to two or more psychoanalytic schools of thought. This confirms that the theoretical pluralism in psychoanalysis stretches to the field of single case studies. The single case studies of each psychoanalytic school are described separately in terms of methodology, patient, therapist, or treatment features. We conclude that published case studies features are fairly similar across different psychoanalytic schools. The results of this study are not representative of all psychoanalytic schools, as some do not publish their work in ISI ranked journals.

Una meta-síntesis de estudios de casos publicados a través del esquema-L de Lacan: La transferencia en la perversión

La transferencia en la perversión se caracteriza por problemas específicos tales como una actitud desafiante y polémica, la transferencia erótica, proyecciones y agresión. Este tipo de transferencia plantea problemas particulares en el tratamiento de la perversión y puede imposibilitar el tratamiento de este tipo de pacientes. Los autores sugieren que el esquema-L de Lacan puede ayudar a separar los aspectos productivos de los improductivos de la transferencia al distinguir una dimensión Imaginaria y otra Simbólica en la misma. En esta meta-síntesis de 11 estudios de casos publicados sobre perversiones sexuales, se analizan los patrones de transferencia. En la dimensión Imaginaria, se vio que los pacientes con perversión tienden a involucrar (in)concientemente al analista en una relación caracterizada por la identificación, la fusión y la rivalidad. En la dimensión Simbólica, notaron que los pacientes perversos son capaces de cuestionar sus motivos, lapsos, síntomas e identidad subjetiva. El análisis temático revela la importancia de la posición del analista en este trabajo, que se describe dentro del esquema-L como representativo de la alteridad del Otro. Se esbozan implicaciones y recomendaciones para futuras prácticas clínicas.