Open Door Review

the central core of psychoanalytic research in general, based as it is on the characteristically psychoanalytic idea of experience and linked to epistemic values (Erkenntniswerte) (compare Toulmin, 1977/83; Hampe, 2004, 2008). Clinical, psychoanalytic research pivots on understanding the unconscious construction of meaning, on personal and biographical singularity. It may thus be characterized as critical hermeneutics. The professionalism of the psychoanalyst adopts an attitude of free-floating attention (gleichschwebenden Aufmerksamkeit) in his own counter-transference of the scenic observation of the patient’s “embodied enactments” (see also Argelander, 1967; Lorenzer, 1974/85; Leuzinger-Bohleber & Pfeifer 2002; Leuzinger-Bohleber, Henningsen, & Pfeifer, 2008), Freudian slips, dreams etc. for the successive understanding of the actual unconscious psychodynamic of the analysand. The typical psychoanalytic process of searching for “unconscious truths” can only be carried out with the analysand, and is regarded as one of the distinctive characteristics of psychoanalysis – for example, as opposed to the top-down procedure of behaviour therapy. Due to this fundamental position, namely, that psychoanalysts can only “test the truth” of their understanding of psychodynamic processes together with the patient, Jonathan Lear (1995) impressively described psychoanalysis as the most democratic of current therapeutic procedures. Furthermore, the characteristic “criterion of truth” of psychoanalytic interpretation is that the “truth” of a certain interpretation of unconscious fantasies or conflicts is something which can only be decided together with the patient, i.e. by the common observation of his (unconscious and conscious) reactions to an interpretation. As is generally known, we owe our specific psychoanalytic, clinical-empirical method of research, the intensive and detailed “field observations” with single patients in the analytic situation, for the most part, those insights acquired over the foregoing 100 years of scientific history – for example the genesis and treatment of chronically depressed patients. Christina von Braun (2010) also sees a unique opportunity in the clinical research of psychoanalysis to recognize and critically reflect on the deeper cultural changes brought about by the ubiquitous exploitative mentality of global and “emotional capitalism” (Illouz, 2006) on the unconscious of modern man in the analytic relationship – something which is not only highly relevant for the affected individual, but also for an analysis of culture as such. Let there be no mistake, Peter Fonagy is right when he points out that not every clinician is automatically a researcher (see his contribution in this volume). A methodologically systematic procedure and a self-critical “basic clinical research attitude” (see Scarfone, in this volume; Bernardi, in this volume) is a precondition; a gain in knowledge in this form is not only a professional skill but also a clinical science. Psychoanalysis has at its disposal, probably more than every other clinical discipline, a differentiated culture of intervision and supervision – closely modelled on psychoanalytic practice – in which the clinical processes of research and greater insight can be critically discussed. There is, however, much room for improvement. Many problems are well known, for example, the chance selection of clinical case reports describing only theoretical concepts as opposed to critically developing them. We are in urgent need of good clinical research, not only in order to maintain our standing in the world of psychotherapy, but also to continually develop our skills in professional treatment (compare Boesky, 2002, 2005; Chiesa, 2005; Colombo & Michels, 2007; Eagle, 1994; Haynal, 1993; Knoblauch, 2005; Lief, 1992; Mayer, 1996). This is one of the goals of the IPA Project Committee for Clinical Observation (Chair: Marina Altmann), but also an IPA Clinical Research Committee (Chair: David Taylor) so as to secure and improve the quality of clinical research in the IPA. Thus, much like the EPF working parties, or the IPA in the LAC Depression Study, we are developing our own form of clinical research : we discuss the treatment sessions that have been systematically documented prior to our discussion in weekly “clinical conferences”. Based on this joint clinical research, the elaboration of “expert-validated” narrative case reports are the most important results of this study. These case studies provide psychoanalytic insights into the specific psychodynamics of

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