[Psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and supportive psychotherapy: current controversies].

Overview

The author in this paper discusses conceptual, clinical and educational issues of the contemporary controversies regarding the relationship between psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and psychodynamically oriented supportive psychotherapy. He argues in favor of a strict definition of techniques as the best way leading to a clear-cut differentiation of the three modalities of treatment. Within this frame he discusses interpretation, transference analysis and technical neutrality as the most important aspects and their respective use in the various psychodynamic therapies. Finally he emphasizes that teaching in psychoanalytic and supportive psychotherapies should be part of the psychoanalytic training program of psychoanalytic institutes.