Moments of complexity and enigmatic action: a Jungian view of the therapeutic field.
Joseph Cambray
Journal of Analytical Psychology June 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-5922.2011.01912_2.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | A single bipolar patient with a severe trauma history in multi-year psychoanalytic treatment |
| Duration | Multi-year analytic treatment |
| Key findings | The author proposes that archetypes function as emergent phenomena organizing 'moments of complexity,' and links these to the Boston Change Process Study Group's 'moments of meeting.' Clinical material from a multi-year analysis of a bipolar patient with severe trauma illustrates such moments through unusual, enigmatic events and dreams reflecting psychological transformation tied to emerging archetypal material related to a psychotic process. |
Abstract
In presenting clinical case material for a panel on archetypes and/or primal phantasies an initial discussion of archetypes as emergent phenomena organizing 'moments of complexity' is given(1) . The relationship of such moments to 'moments of meeting' as developed by the Boston Change Process Study Group is commented on and explored within the context of the case. A condensed report of a multi-year analytic treatment of a bipolar patient having a severe trauma history is offered for discussion. Several unusual, enigmatic events are detailed to illustrate the occurrence of moments of complexity. Dreams highlighting psychological transformation stemming from a changing relationship to emerging archetypal material related to a psychotic process in the patient are offered to further detailed moments of complexity.