The Role and Significance of Mirror Neurons in Establishing Alliances in Interactive Psychoanalysis

Agrafa, IV 5/2023  (стр. 109-144)

АУТОР(И) / AUTHOR(S): Suzana Dimitrijević-Branković

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/Agrafa5.109DB

САЖЕТАК / ABSTRACT:

This paper delves into the role of mirror neurons in forming a therapeutic alliance in the context of interactive psychoanalysis. Interactive psychoanalysis, like other psychoanalytical approaches, emphasizes the therapeutic alliance as pivotal for fostering a relationship of trust and safety. This approach, however, goes beyond this conventional framework. A distinctive feature of the therapeutic alliance in interactive psychoanalysis is the therapist’s comprehension of the analysand’s distinct thought process by engaging in dual phenomenology (understanding their subjective worldview), thus facilitating the derivation of accurate conclusions. Although language plays a critical role in social interaction, a substantial portion of interpersonal relations occurs unconsciously, manifested through both verbal and non-verbal cues. Social relationships in humans (and animals) commence with learning, initially through observation and then through imitation or simulation of the environment. Current research in neuroscience and related fields suggests that mirror neurons play a significant role in this process. This knowledge could offer additional tools for developing an interactive therapeutic alliance. It is hypothesized that therapists can employ neural mechanisms of mimicry or simulation to steer the analysand’s affective and cognitive actions, which could be immensely beneficial in the therapeutic process.

КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ / KEYWORDS:

Mirror neurons, empathy, synchronization, unconscious communication

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT / ПРОЈЕКАТ:

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