| Abstract: | Ed Tronick’s comprehensive theory of human development encompasses the psychological, neurobiological, and cultural to address how human beings make meaning. In addition to a large body of theoretical work and empirical studies, he has collaborated with Alexandra Harrison to develop a model of therapeutic process and change. In this article, we explore the divergences and convergences between Tronick’s theories about psychological development and psychotherapeutic process and those of Melanie Klein and Wilfred Bion. We organize our exploration around three areas of interest to both Tronick and Klein: (1) the development of levels of psychic organization, from primitive to organized; (2) the way in which experience is communicated and received across these different levels, and the kind of therapeutic listening necessary to discern this; and (3) the implications for therapeutic interventions that promote psychic change. We discuss Kate, the young patient Harrison and Tronick use to illustrate their model of psychic change, to explicate some differences and commonalities in the perspectives under consideration. |
