Projective identification The analyst’s involvement

In Klein’s o riginal formulation of the mechanism of projective identification she referred to an unconscious phantasy in which the patient expelled what were usually disturbing contents into another object. This object is partially transformed in the patient’s mind as a consequence of the proj ection, being now possessed of qualities the patient has expelled. In addition to its use as a method of evacuation, Klein suggested that projective identification may fulfil a variety of other unconscious functions for the patient, such as leading to him believing that he possesses the object, or controls it from within. These projective processes usually alternate with introjective ones. Thus the phantasy offorceful entry into the object by p;1rts of the self in order to possess or control the object crea tes problems with normal introjection, which the patient may find difficult to distingu ish from forceful entry from the outside, in retribution for his own violent proj ections