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Eros in Analysis EROS IN ANALYSIS A dissertation submitted to The Sanville Institute in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Social Work BETSY COHEN September 30, 2009 © 2009 BETSY COHEN ALL RIGHTS RESERVED CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL I certify that I have read EROS IN ANALYSIS by Betsy Cohen, and that in my opinion this work meets the criteria for approving a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Social Work at The Sanville Institute. 4~ 61 T7'Q ro-axleil 2,0 a A. O'Connell, PhD, Faculty Member Oat 8-1/3/0 John Conger, PhD. external member Date itney Van Nouhuys, 111 EROS IN ANALYSIS By Betsy Cohen Eros, a cosmic, transcendent force, has been omitted from most psychoanalytic literature, yet love and truth are necessary to heal the patient. The founder of our young art and science, Sigmund Freud, was fearful of an erotic countertransference. This theoretical dissertation uses ancient wisdom, particularly the Song of Songs from the Hebrew Bible and Plato's erotic dialogues, Symposium and Phaedrus, to create a new template for Eros in psychoanalytic treatment—to incorporate the erotic into the experience of love between patient and analyst. Through a thorough review of the history of Eros from Freud's thinking of transference love to contemporary psychoanalysis, this study uses the formulation that transference and countertransference are now considered a unit, the field mutually created by analysts and their analysands. Carl Jung and the erotic, particularly his relationship with Sabina Spielrein are explored. Also presented are some modern Jungian analysts, comfortable with Eros in the consulting room, encouraging their own andtheir patients' full presence in the relationship by not repressing Eros. A meditative and deep immersion in the Song of Songs illustrates how the erotic between analyst and patient mirrors the two lovers in the Song and supports an exploration of desire, longing, absence, and imagined presence, iv intense vulnerability (et alia) in both the Song and in analysis. Clinical examples illustrate how this biblical text might deepen analytic work with patients. An exploration of Plato's theory of Therapeia reminds one how to resolve contradictory wills through the honest inquiry of Socratic dialogue, a foundation of analytic work. From the Symposium, Diotima's teaching to Socrates is postulated as being fundamental for those seeking a road deeper into the self and away from self-absorbed egos. Through a detailed analysis of Socrates's palinode in Phaedrus, understanding Eros as an originary force larger than sexuality, a new paradigm for accepting our souls' warring nature—the tension between desire and control—is employed. Plato's thinking, including Eros Tyrannos, helps the modern psychotherapist discover a love of wisdom and reason over ignorance. Clinical examples explicate welcoming Eros into the analytic relationship as analyst and analysand fully participate in healing of souls. DEDICATION Harvey, Nathaniel, Dashiell, Gareth, Paul, John, David —7 card stud— vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS During the past decade in a Ph.D. program, my family and friends have been understanding, rooting for me, and selfless. My women friends have stood by my side while I have been unavailable for fun. Katherine Olivetti, Kathy Miller, Maggie Hochfelder, Patricia Hart, Lonnie Prince, Jennifer Cobb, Susan Rabens have all asked little but provided much. At the San Francisco Jung Institute, Bryan Wittine, Beth Barmack, Amy Weston, Mark and Barbara Sullivan, Marjorie Nathanson, and many others have also been encouraging. Gale Bailey, friend of 52 years and sister-in-law for 22 years, is always steadfast and loyal. The deep understanding of my sons, Dashiell and Nathaniel, from the sidelines, deserves my heartfelt praise and appreciation. Cynthia O'Connell was gracious to be on my committee, positive in her comments. She provided little interference and much encouragement. Gail Stewart and Randall Alifano cared for my body and psyche. Gareth Hill has been my mentor and friend since 1970 and I am in deep gratitude for his perserverence and love. Paul Caringella is my philosophy and theology teacher who has guided me through the thinking, feeling and meditative process of this dissertation, patiently waiting until I finished so we could return to our work on Emmanuel Levinas and scripture. John Conger, my external committee member and friend, has been a cheerleader for my work. His writings and wisdom are a gift to me. David Tresan's writing and friendship have provided a spinal column for my thinking and continuity. In 1986 in the dedication to my book on envy and the fear of being envied, The Snow White Syndrome, I acknowledged the French Hotel for their late night vii lattes. In 2009, I wish to acknowledge Harvey Bailey for his editing, his patience, his continued support in times of self doubt, and his reminders that it is important to sleep. I especially applaud his home delivery of soy cappucinos, still delicious, from the French Hotel on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Thank you all, to all my patients, and to the many others I do not have the space to mention. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT......................................................................................................................iii DEDICATION..................................................................................................................v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...............................................................................................vi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION............................................................................1 Eros and Its Many Meanings......................................................................................3 Historyof Eros: Hesiod...........................................................................................3 Creation Myths of Eros: Orphic Mysteries...........................................................9 BiblicalParallels .....................................................................................................13 A Short History of How Others Have Expressed Love in the Past Four ThousandYears..........................................................................................................16 Pope Benedict XVI's Deus Caritas Est...................................................................... 22 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................26 Freud............................................................................................................................26 Sexuality..................................................................................................................27 Evolution of Freud's Thinking on Love and Transference Love ....................27 Freud's Theory on the Development of Love....................................................31 Freudon Eros..........................................................................................................32 Eros in the Countertransference ..............................................................................37 The History of Countertransference and Countertransference Love.................38 SigmundFreud.......................................................................................................38 SandorFerenczi......................................................................................................41 MichaelBalint.........................................................................................................43 D. W. Winnicott......................................................................................................44 PaulaHeimann ....................................................................................................... 45 HeinrichRacker......................................................................................................46 HaroldSearles ........................................................................................................47 HarryStack Sullivan..............................................................................................51 HeinzKohut............................................................................................................52 StefanoBolognini...................................................................................................53 Jody Messier Davies ..............................................................................................56 MurielDimen .........................................................................................................68 DavidMann, .......................................................................................................... 69 TheErotic as Resistance............................................................................................71 The Erotic in Infant Observation .............................................................................73 Sexual Intercourse as a Metaphor for Psychological Change..............................75 Carl Jung: Jung's Relation to the Erotic..................................................................75 ClinicalCases ....................................................................................................... ...80 "A Simple Girl of the Hills " .............................................................................. 81 Sabina Spielrein: The Dark Side of Eros
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