From Psychic Retreats to Transitional Spaces: Practical Aspects of Psychoanalytic Coaching

Student: Elizaveta Provarenova

Educational Programme: Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Business Consulting (Master)

Final Grade: 10

Year of Graduation: 2024

This master's thesis is dedicated to the practical aspects of psychoanalytic coaching. It examines cases where despite the client's high motivation for change in their life, they actually sabotage any attempts at transformation, leading the coach's work to a standstill, feeling like going in circles. After analyzing these cases, the authors concluded that such client reactions could be related to specific psychological states, which John Steiner referred to as "psychic retreats." Based on the concept of psychic retreats, the authors attempted to analyze client behavior, address questions, understand the underlying premises and mechanisms, and explore how the "transitional space" of coaching sessions allows progress in working with such clients.

Full text (added May 19, 2024)

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