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Transitional phenomena in a dream

Transitional phenomena in a dream Polly Crisp Transitional phenomena in the dream space have received little discus- sion in the literature since Winnicott (1971a) initially defined the transi- tional process in terms of creative playing and dreaming. A few investi- gators, however, have taken up these issues and dealt with such processes as the dream space itself as transitional space rather than as a thing in itself or the manifest dream content as being indicative of transitional phenom- ena in the patient. However, it is far from certain exactly what transitional phenomena manifesting in a dream or as a dream are all about. The implica- tions for dynamic conceptualization and most importantly for therapeutic technique are far from clear. The purpose here will be to take up these ques- tions by studying the dream space and noting the transitional phenomena presented in the manifest content and associations to a particular dream presented in therapy. This material will then be employed to attempt to more fully understand what is happening in the therapeutic process. WINNICOTT'S DEFINITIONS OF TRANSITIONAL OBJECTS AND PHENOMENA Winnicott (1951, 1952) first discussed the illusional area of experience be- tween the internal and external world. He stressed that most importantly it represents http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The American Journal of Psychoanalysis Springer Journals

Transitional phenomena in a dream

The American Journal of Psychoanalysis , Volume 47 (3): 12 – Sep 1, 1987

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References (29)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
1987 Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis
ISSN
0002-9548
eISSN
1573-6741
DOI
10.1007/BF01250344
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Polly Crisp Transitional phenomena in the dream space have received little discus- sion in the literature since Winnicott (1971a) initially defined the transi- tional process in terms of creative playing and dreaming. A few investi- gators, however, have taken up these issues and dealt with such processes as the dream space itself as transitional space rather than as a thing in itself or the manifest dream content as being indicative of transitional phenom- ena in the patient. However, it is far from certain exactly what transitional phenomena manifesting in a dream or as a dream are all about. The implica- tions for dynamic conceptualization and most importantly for therapeutic technique are far from clear. The purpose here will be to take up these ques- tions by studying the dream space and noting the transitional phenomena presented in the manifest content and associations to a particular dream presented in therapy. This material will then be employed to attempt to more fully understand what is happening in the therapeutic process. WINNICOTT'S DEFINITIONS OF TRANSITIONAL OBJECTS AND PHENOMENA Winnicott (1951, 1952) first discussed the illusional area of experience be- tween the internal and external world. He stressed that most importantly it represents

Journal

The American Journal of PsychoanalysisSpringer Journals

Published: Sep 1, 1987

Keywords: Clinical Psychology; Psychotherapy; Psychoanalysis

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