in Moments of Clinical Disjunction
The Institutional Affiliation
Article Review
“The Interplay Between Empathy and Authenticity in Moments of Clinical Disjunction” is an article which was written by Janna Sandmeyer, Doctor of Philosophy, who mostly helps families adapt to changes followed by a baby birth. It was published in 2015 in the International Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology.
The article discusses notions of empathy and authenticity as well as their interaction through the whole treatment process. The author tries to determine whether the aspects complement or contradict each other. She refers to works of famous psychologists and their standpoints on the theme. The article consists of the introduction, discussions about empathy, authenticity and disjunction, the real-life case, and the summary. Based on the analysis of various scientific works and her own experience, Sandmeyer (2015) comes to the conclusion that empathy and authenticity are “entwined in a generative process that furthers the therapeutic endeavor and eschews an either/or dichotomy” (p.64).
According to the author (2015), Kohut was the first scientist who revealed his idea of empathy as a “data -gathering method in which the analyst attempts to understand the patient's world from the patient's perspective” (p.60). The idea was later transformed to depicting empathy as a curative process. Geist's interpretation of empathy is close to the previous writer's. He also expands it with empathic resonance and somatic empathy. Other scholars consider empathy as a goal, in particular, “an achievement of empathic communication in which the patient experiences the analyst as attuned” (Sandmeyer, 2015. p.61). The author of the article determines authenticity as a newer and less investigated concept. Stern, one of the leading writers in self-psychology, explores authenticity by referring to empathy and freedom where authenticity is a part of the last notion. He insists that empathy and authenticity can not be separated: “Empathy leave too much intersubjective territory out of view, freedom opens intersubjective spaces but is too unbounded” (Sandmeyer, 2015, p.62). Stern, therefore, concludes that the therapeutic process is the most effective when the two aspects contain one another.
Van Der Heide suggests that “authenticity inheres within the analysis” (Sandmeyer, 2015, p.62). He agrees that empathy and authenticity are no longer in contradiction to each other. The article describes few more similar ideas. In particular, Orange states that patient and therapist together create a system in which they interact. He argues that being empathic doesn't mean entering the mind, but sharing one space together. Teicholz offers the same perspective of the notions which, according to him, are “in a complex relationship to one another” (Sandmeyer, 2015, p.63).
Sandmeyer considers disjunction a vital part of the treatment process. Scientifically, it is a phenomenon which takes place if “two individuals experience the same psychologically meaningful event in a highly discrepant way” (Sandmeyer, 2015, 64). The author tells about her struggle during her experience with one of the patients. Abigail, that was the young lady's name, complained about the complicated relationship with mom and dad, hard times making long lasting friendship, losing faith and confidence in herself. Sometime during the treatment process, Abigail met a young man who, according to her wrongful assumptions, meant to marry her. The author of the article and, at the same time, the physician, hesitated whether it is better to voice her doubts about the relationships or pretend that she agrees and shares the patient's understanding of the situation. Janna chose the last alternative and her choice paid off. She felt happy about what she did at the end as she saw significant changes in Abigail's behavior.
I believe that Orange's standpoint about a joint world for both the therapist and the patient is especially relevant when working with families. I agree with the perception that empathy doesn't mean entering someone else's mind but creating a common system for both participants. If more than two people experience it, in particular, several members of the family, the treatment is likely to be specifically effective. Another point I find interesting in working with families is focusing on communication between family members rather than on problems of one individual. The distinction is relevant because it requires extra care and prudence in moments of clinical disjunction. In working with families, one can make sure that all parties progress and develop.
The article is figuratively divided into two parts, the theoretical and the practical. In the fist one, the author defines, explains and cites other research and writers. In the second part, she strengthens the theory with her own story. Both parts are perfectly combined, they supplement each other and help to perceive the information better. The article summarizes a lot of significant studies which is convenient for a reader. It collects the most important arguments and thoughts on empathy and authenticity in one place. It provides a lot of information at once, that's why I consider the Sandmeyer's work to be a successful contribution to the field. She aimed at conducting and making an accurate analysis of empathy, authenticity, and their interaction, and she reached the goal. The result of her work is reliable since she uses a lot of valid facts and statements. The style of writing is easy to follow. Even though the topic and the terminology is rather complicated, the text is well organized and presented. It is interesting to discover and find out more as you read it.
I find every single paragraph of the article useful and helpful in working with children and their families. Children are especially vulnerable, they require special treatment and extra care. Teicholz, for example, refers to it in their saying that “if the patient is more fragile, a sustained empathic stance is is called for; when the patient is more robust, she may benefit from a differentiated subjectivity as expressed by the analyst” (Teicholz, 2012). Such divide can be helpful in practice since some kids, indeed, have stronger characters while some of them are surprisingly easy to offend.
The information I obtained from the article can be used in various ways. However, it can be the most useful in solving medical disjunction. There are many cases when a therapist faces difficult decision whether it is better to simply agree with the patient or express one's subjectivity. Janna Sandmeyer convinces the reader that such choice is not necessary. In opposite, empathy and authenticity benefit the treatment process and the patient the best when they are not at odds with each other. The case described by the writer made me recall a few situations which happened to me and my friends. There were moments when I doubted the seriousness of the relationship, just like the therapist did in the situation with Abigail. I also struggled to make a choice between being authentic and empathic. Keeping in mind the information from the article, I clearly understand the most effective treatment involves both empathy and authenticity in relation to the patient.
Another statement I consider very significant is Kohut's perception of childhoods trauma: “by failing to acknowledge the validity and legitimacy of the patient's demand for development-enhancing self-object responses” (Kohut, 1984), the therapist declined the person in an identical way. There are many children who did not have any recognition and support from their families. Declining their vision at any point through the treatment process too sharply can return them to the traumatic condition.
“The Interplay Between Empathy and Authenticity in Moments of Clinical Disjunction” by Janna Sandmeyer is a great directive for effective treatment. It promotes the idea of two contradiction notions, empathy and authenticity, being benefit in a dyad. The author educates the physician and helps them understand how to avoid a disjunctive struggle and do their best in order to help the patient.
Reference page
Janna Sandmeyer Ph.D. (2016). The Interplay Between Empathy and Authenticity in Moments of Clinical Disjunction. International Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology, 11:1, 60-74.
