The development of self-observation as precondition for self-analysis – the case of Amalia X

Psychotherapeutic orientations generally aim to develop a new kind of self-observation, though they differ in the methods used to achieve this. In psychoanalysis, the capacity for self-analysis is considered a main objective. As central as the self-analytic function is, being the route by which the psychoanalytic process may continue after treatment termination, empirical research on self-analysis is sparse. In this study, we attempt to show empirically how self-observation as a precondition for self-analytic capacity may develop. This is our first objective. We study five consecutive psychoanalytic sessions of one of the most researched psychoanalytic treatments, that of Amalia X. We do this by using Dialogical Sequence Analysis (DSA) – putting it to test being our second objective. We hope to show how Amalia, through the process in these sessions, takes a new stance on her problematic experience of being exposed and vulnerable in front of others. Our focus is on Amalia´s dream experiences and her relationship with her psychoanalyst.