Thoughts on Developmental and Psychoanalytic Change Inspired by Heinz Hartmann

ABSTRACT

Rather than attempting to review Hartmann’s extensive contributions to psychoanalytic theory, we are going to follow his example by suggesting a biological meta-theory for psychoanalysis, focusing in particular on adaptation, and also addressing “reality.” We introduce a nonlinear model that highlights the dyad as the common pathway for developmental change – such as the infant-caregiver dyad in early development and the patient-analyst dyad in psychoanalysis. Then we offer a clinical illustration from a child analytic case. We will close with some observations about “adaptation to reality” in remote child therapy during COVID.