Is the concept of corrective emotional experience still topical?
This article gives a historical review of the literature concerned with the role of emotional factors in psychoanalysis. The author then focuses on Alexander's milestone contribution and above all, on the concept he developed of corrective emotional experience. Alexander moves gradually over time from the classical position, which gives insight a place of choice, to a more radical view, in which, the most effective therapeutic factor is represented by the emotional experience within the therapeutic relationship. The article includes a review of the literature relevant to the concept of corrective emotional experience. Finally, Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy, a therapeutic approach giving a prominent role to the therapeutic power of corrective emotional experience is considered. Two vignettes from a psychotherapy carried out according to the principles of Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy provide examples of how this model is applied clinically.
Palvarini
Paolo
P
Mental Health Department, Mantua, Italy. arpa.97@alice.it
D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*