Interpretation and Interaction

In place of the commonly accepted triadic division among psychoanalysis, exploratory psychotherapy, and supportive psychotherapy, Oremland proposes a new triad: psychoanalysis, psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy, and interactive psychotherapy. Whereas psychoanalysis and psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy both strive systematically to "interpret" the therapeutic interaction as expressed in the transference, interactive psychotherapy "uses" the transference in selective ways to ameliorate psychic distress. Merton Gill's critical appreciation of Oremland's proposals amounts to an illuminating refinement of Gill's own position of these issues.