Nothing Good Is Allowed to Stand: An Integrative View of the Negative Therapeutic Reaction

225 Pages·2012·2.19 MB·English

by  Léon Wurmser

NOTHING GOOD IS
ALLOWED TO STAND
Work with patients with severe neuroses very often has to cope with the
phenomenon that every progress in the analytic or therapeutic work is
followed paradoxically by a clinical deterioration. Th ere are a number of
dynamic factors that converge to bring about this negative therapeutic
reaction, including many-layered guilt and shame, aspects of envy and
jealousy, attachment to negative aff ects, turning trauma from passive
to active, confl icts within the superego, and the defensive use of omni-
potence of responsibility.
In Nothing Good Is Allowed to Stand, Wurmser, Jarass, and their col-
leagues consider these and other factors insightfully, such as the extent to
which traumatization lives on in self-directed aggressions of the superego
in the claim of omnipotence; the signifi cant role of deep confl icts between
opposite values and loyalties in bringing about the prohibition of anything
“good” and thus of the negative therapeutic reaction in particular and
masochism in general; and the extent to which envy, jealousy, and resent-
ment can be encountered in the “inner object,” the “inner judge” (i.e., the
superego), and how they are directed against the self.
Léon Wurmser, M.D. is a Training and Supervising Analyst at the New
York Freudian Society. His publications include Th e Power of the Inner
Judge (Jason Aronson, 2000), Jealousy and Envy (with Heidrun Jarass;
Analytic Press, 2007), and Torment Me, but Don’t Abandon Me! (Jason
Aronson, 2007). He maintains a private practice in Towson, MD.
Heidrun Jarass, M.D. is a Training and Supervising Analyst at the Insti-
tute for Psychoanalysis of the German Psychoanalytic Society, Nürnberg.
A psychoanalyst in private practice, she has been active in psychoanalytic
research, focusing on the psychodynamic processes in supervision, and
has presented her work with severely ill patients at international meetings.
She co-edited (with Léon Wurmser) Jealousy and Envy (Analytic Press,
2007).
PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES
JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG
Series Editor
Like its counterpart, Psychoanalytic Inquiry: A Topical Journal for Men-
tal Health Professionals, the Psychoanalytic Inquiry Book Series presents
a diversity of subjects within a diversity of approaches to those subjects. 
Under the editorship of Joseph Lichtenberg, in collaboration with Melvin
Bornstein and the editorial board of Psychoanalytic Inquiry, the volumes
in this series strike a balance between research, theory, and clinical appli-
cation We are honored to have published the works of various innova-
tors in psychoanalysis, such as Frank Lachmann, James Fosshage, Robert
Stolorow, Donna Orange, Louis Sander, Léon Wurmser, James Grotstein,
Joseph Jones, Doris Brothers, Fredric Busch, and Joseph Lichtenberg,
among others. 
Th e series includes books and monographs on mainline psychoanalytic
topics, such as sexuality, narcissism, trauma, homosexuality, jealousy,
envy, and varied aspects of analytic process and technique. In our eff orts
to broaden the fi eld of analytic interest, the series has incorporated and
embraced innovative discoveries in infant research, self psychology, inter-
subjectivity, motivational systems, aff ects as process, responses to cancer,
borderline states, contextualism, postmodernism, attachment research
and theory, medication, and mentalization. As further investigations in
psychoanalysis come to fruition, we seek to present them in readable, eas-
ily comprehensible writing.
After 25 years, the core vision of this series remains the investigation,
analysis and discussion of developments on the cutting edge of the psy-
choanalytic fi eld, inspired by a boundless spirit of inquiry.
PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES
JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG
Series Editor
Vol. 39 Vol. 32
Nothing Good Is Allowed to Stand: Persons in Context:
An Integrative View of the Th e Challenge of Individuality
Negative Th erapeutic Reaction in Th eory and Practice
Léon Wurmser & Heidrun Jarass (eds.) Roger Frie & William J. Coburn (eds.)
Vol. 38 Vol. 31
Self Experiences in Group, Revisited: Toward an Emancipatory Psychoanalysis:
Aff ective Attachments, Intersubjective Regula- Brandchaft’s Intersubjective Vision
tions, and Human Understanding Bernard Brandchaft, Shelley Doctors,
Irene Harwood, Walter Stone, & Dorienne Sorter
& Malcolm Pines (eds.)
Vol. 30
Vol. 37 From Psychoanalytic Narrative
Th e Abyss of Madness to Empirical Single Case Research:
George E. Atwood Implications for Psychoanalytic Practice
Horst Kächele, Joseph Schachter,
Vol. 36 Helmut Th omä & the Ulm Psychoanalytic
Manual of Panic Focused Psychodynamic Process Research Study Group
Psychotherapy – eXtended Range
Fredric N. Busch, Barbara L. Milrod, Vol. 29
Meriamne B. Singer, & Andrew C. Aronson Mentalization:
Th eoretical Considerations, Research Findings,
Vol. 35 and Clinical Implications
World, Aff ectivity, Trauma: Fredric N. Busch (ed.)
Heidegger and Post-Cartesian Psychoanalysis
Robert D. Stolorow Vol. 28
Transforming Narcissism:
Vol. 34 Refl ections on Empathy, Humor, and
Change in Psychoanalysis: Expectations
An Analyst’s Refl ections on the Th erapeutic Frank M. Lachmann
Relationship
Chris Jaenicke Vol. 27
Toward a Psychology of Uncertainty:
Vol. 33 Trauma-Centered Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis and Motivational Systems: Doris Brothers
A New Look
Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Lachmann,
& James L. Fosshage
PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES
JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG
Series Editor
Vol. 26 Vol. 19
Living Systems, Evolving Consciousness, A Spirit of Inquiry:
and the Emerging Person: A Selection of Papers Communication in Psychoanalysis
from the Life Work of Louis Sander Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M.
Gherardo Amadei & Ilaria Bianchi (eds.) Lachmann,
& James L. Fosshage
Vol. 25
Sensuality and Sexuality Vol. 18
across the Divide of Shame Kohut, Loewald, and the Postmoderns:
Joseph D. Lichtenberg A Comparative Study of Self and Relationship
Judith Guss Teicholz
Vol. 24
Jealousy and Envy: Vol. 17
New Views about Two Powerful Feelings Working Intersubjectively:
Léon Wurmser & Heidrun Jarass (eds.) Contextualism in Psychoanalytic Practice
Donna M. Orange, George E. Atwood,
Vol. 23 & Robert D. Stolorow
Trauma and Human Existence:
Autobiographical, Psychoanalytic, Vol. 16
and Philosophical Refl ections Th e Clinical Exchange:
Robert D. Stolorow Techniques Derived from
Self and Motivational Systems
Vol. 22 Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M.
Psychotherapy and Medication: Lachmann,
Th e Challenge of Integration & James L. Fosshage
Fredric N. Busch & Larry S. Sandberg
Vol. 14
Vol. 21 Aff ects as Process:
Attachment and Sexuality An Inquiry into the Centrality
Diana Diamond, Sidney J. Blatt, of Aff ect in Psychological Life
& Joseph D. Lichtenberg (eds.) Joseph M. Jones
Vol. 20 Vol. 13
Craft and Spirit: Self and Motivational Systems:
A Guide to Exploratory Psychotherapies Toward a Th eory of Psychoanalytic Technique
Joseph D. Lichtenberg Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M.
Lachmann,
& James L. Fosshage
PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES
JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG
Series Editor
Vol. 12 Vol. 7
Contexts of Being: Th e Borderline Patient:
Th e Intersubjective Foundations Emerging Concepts in Diagnosis,
of Psychological Life Psychodynamics, and Treatment, Vol. 2
Robert D. Stolorow & George E. Atwood James S. Grotstein, Marion F. Solomon,
& Joan A. Lang (eds.)
Vol. 10
Psychoanalysis and Motivation Vol. 6
Joseph D. Lichtenberg Th e Borderline Patient:
Emerging Concepts in Diagnosis,
Vol. 8 Psychodynamics, and Treatment, Vol. 1
Psychoanalytic Treatment: James S. Grotstein, Marion F. Solomon,
An Intersubjective Approach & Joan A. Lang (eds.)
Robert D. Stolorow, Bernard Brandchaft,
& George E. Atwood Vol. 5
Toward a Comprehensive Model for
Vol. 2 Schizophrenic Disorders: Psychoanalytic Essays
Psychoanalysis and Infant Research in Memory of Ping-Nie Pao
Joseph D. Lichtenberg David B. Feinsilver
Vol. 4
Out of Print titles in the PI Series Structures of Subjectivity:
Explorations in Psychoanalytic Phenomenology
Vol. 15 George E. Atwood & Robert D. Stolorow
Understanding Th erapeutic Action:
Psychodynamic Concepts of Cure Vol. 3
Lawrence E. Lifson (ed.) Empathy, Volumes I & II
Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Melvin Bornstein,
Vol. 11 & Donald Silver (eds.)
Cancer Stories: Creativity and Self-Repair
Esther Dreifuss-Kattan Vol. 1
Refl ections on Self Psychology
Vol. 9 Joseph D. Lichtenberg & Samuel Kaplan
Female Homosexuality: Choice without (eds.)
Volition
Elaine V. Siegel

NOTHING GOOD IS
ALLOW ED TO STAND
An Integrative View of the Negative
Therapeutic Reaction
Edited by
Léon Wurmser
Heidrun Jarass
First published 2013
by Routledge
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Simultaneously published in the UK
by Routledge
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© 2013 Taylor & Francis
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Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Nothing good is allowed to stand : an integrative view of the negative therapeutic reaction /
edited by Leon Wurmser, Heidrun Jarass.
p. cm. — (Psychoanalytic inquiry ; 39)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-415-53198-6 (hbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-415-53199-3 (pbk. : alk.
paper) — ISBN 978-0-203-11003-4 1. Psychotherapy—Complications. 2. Psychothera-
pist and patient. I. Wurmser, Leon. II. Jarass, Heidrun.
RC480.5.N66 2012
616.89’14—dc23
2012007454
ISBN: 978-0-415-53198-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-415-53199-3 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-11003-4 (ebk)
Typeset in Garamond
by EvS Communication Networx, Inc.
CONTENTS
Contributors xi
Foreword xiii
JOSEPH LICHTENBERG
Introduction 1
LÉON WURMSER AND HEIDRUN JARASS
1 Negative Th erapeutic Reaction and the Compulsion
to Disappoint the Other 27
LÉON WURMSER
2 On Negative Th erapeutic Reaction 57
SHELLEY ORGEL
3 “Time Th at No One Can Count, Always Begins Anew”:
Th oughts Concerning the Function and Meaning of the
So-Called Negative Th erapeutic Reaction from the Perspective
of Time Standing Still 67
GERD SCHMITHÜSEN
4 Negative Th erapeutic Reaction in the Light of Object
Relations Th eory 97
MATHIAS HIRSCH
5 “I Have to Destroy Everything I Love”: Totalitarian
Conscience—Acted Out and Understood 108
HEIDRUN JARASS
6 “Omnipresence,” a Masked Cause of Negative Th erapeutic
Reaction: Considerations of the Long Shadow of Totalitarian
Repression 129
JÖRG FROMMER