Symbols & Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis views the symbolic function as a crucial capacity of the mind. Human beings use their mind to manage emotional experiences. These are seen initially as driven by instincts and later in terms of relationships with objects in the environment. Most of this inner work occurs unconsciously. However unconscious processes can become visible via symbols either in dreams, through parapraxes or life events.
I realise that many devalue, even ridicule, psychoanalytic ideas and view dreams as lacking in meaning. However the aim here is not to defend any theory or therapy, but rather to explain what happens in the consulting room from the perspective of and confirm that it accords with the framework of as presented.
In a psychoanalysis, the analysand usually presents dreams and is puzzled by them. As the analysand freely associates and experiences in the session, links and patterns to the dream become apparent to the analyst, who tries to understand and eventually offers an interpretation. If the analyst is in touch, the analysand responds by evolving a psychic process.
Symbolization in dreams follows rules of the primary process. Asymmetrical relations become symmetrical; individuals become identical to their class; concreteness and wordplay are common. How does the analyst find a way through?
A psychoanalysis is above all a communicative interaction. The analyst and analysand together are creating a narrative as a reality that is meaningful. As in society, conversation is the method, verbal and non-verbal language the medium, and symbolization the heart. The symbols used by the analysand resonate within the receptive analyst. The identification and connexions of these symbols as presented in interpretations likewise resonate within the analysand.
These unconscious are not definite and unambiguous as might be expected from this account of in the framework. So books with lists of symbols or dreams and their meanings that may be useful for drama or story-telling may be useless or misleading for therapy. The psychoanalytic approach is something wholly private and nothing can be assumed.
The dreams presented are accepted as mysterious, and (less comfortably for some) otherwise straightforward reported events are similarly treated. Assigning meaning can only occur if there is a willingness. The analyst must be willing to be open and to hazard an interpretation, and the analysand must be willing to participate and consider what the analyst says. This is precisely the finding identified here in regard to forcing.
Willingness in the analysand is not shown by a verbal agreement to analytic modes of thought—that may be phoney and in any case it takes some time to grasp what is going on. It is rather shown by a continuing attendance at sessions (with payment) and, above all, the evolution of an inner mental process that is recognisably healing and integrating—even as it confronts mental pain, anxiety and even death.
Originally posted: 24-Aug-2013