In this case report Harry Paul explores the intact selfobject tie and how it supports and promotes the leading edge of self-development in Intersubjective Self Psychology. The sustained, intact selfobject tie in the therapeutic relationship allows for the expression of the leading edge strivings of both participants which dominates the intersubjective field. Dr. Paul demonstrates in the case of Michael, how to promote and sustain the intact selfobject tie, the leading edge and curative agent of an ISP informed treatment.
Furthermore, in this case example, it is demonstrated how and why transference based interpretations of the selfobject relationship, the leading edge, actively contribute to successful treatment by broadening and deepening therapeutic collaboration.
In the case of Michael to be presented, the “we” of the relationship strengthened the bond between him and his therapist and they used the language of “we” as a shorthand between them which felt generative to the patient and therapist alike. The discussion of the therapeutic relationship between Michael and his therapist resulted in the solidification of the leading edge which manifested in Michael’s developing sense of agency and a growing sense of self. Michael’s life changes dramatically after a series of strokes and illnesses and he and his therapist discover alternative means of maintaining the leading edge. After Dr. Paul’s presentation Gordon Powell will offer a discussion.
Harry Paul
Harry Paul, Ph.D., was a founding member, past president, faculty and supervising and training analyst at the Training and Research Institute in Self Psychology and current founding member and faculty at The Training and Research in Intersubjective Self Psychology. He is the co editor and contributor with George Hagman and Peter Zimmermann of Intersubjective Self Psychology published by Routledge in 2019. He is the co-author of The Self Psychology of Addiction and Its Treatment: Narcissus in Wonderland, 2006, and he has authored papers on intersubjectivity and addiction. He is in private practice in New York City and in Chappaqua New York.
Gordon Powell
Gordon Powell, LCSW, is a psychoanalyst in private practice in Manhattan. His psychoanalytic training took place at TRISP, from which he graduated in 1998. He supervises and teaches at TRISP, and he is a supervisor, training analyst, and teacher at The Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP) in Manhattan. He is the author of the chapter “Sexuality and Intersubjective Self Psychology: What Matters” in the 2019 book Intersubjective Self Psychology: A Primer.
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