Leading articles

THE VIENNA PSYCHOANALYST wants to give not only already internationally established psychoanalysts, but also still unknown psychoanalysts the opportunity to post a self-written and not yet published article on the FrontPage of our online magazine!

Our Users then can leave comments, ask questions or discuss the articles in our forum. Our aim is to provide an international platform where for the first time anyone interested in psychoanalysis can exchange ideas on certain topics.
Articles are welcome in German and/ or English.

If you are interested, please send your article to
leadingarticle@theviennapsychoanalyst.at


(For reasons of readability, the male form is used with personal names, however the female form is also always intended.)

In our interview series "in conversation with“, we will briefly present the authors of the leading articles. We want to give our users the opportunity to read the leading article from a different point of view.

This week we are very glad to welcome Helmut Luft from Hofheim, Germany:

Born 1924, Dr. med., expert  in neurology, psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine. From 1965 to 1998 head of the specialist clinic Hofheim. Teacherand control analyst at the DPV (Deutsche Psychoanalytische Vereinigung- German Psychoanalytic Association). Lecturer at the SFI. Lecturer at the University of Frankfurt. Co-founder of the Mainz Psychoanalytic Institute. For more than 20 years research focus on Psychoanalysis of older patients. Numerous professional and book publications. 

 

DWP: What brought you to psychoanalysis?

Helmut Luft: The wish that there should never be another war.


DWP: If you had the opportunity to talk to Sigmund Freud, what would be the topic?
Are there any specific questions?

Helmut Luft: Topic: His findings about the mature stage of old age. My question would be: Is it possible to help people out of their blind self-destruction.
 

DWP: Fabric or leather couch?

Helmut Luft: Fabric is more maternal and pleasant, while leather is  more paternal and cooler.


DWP: Bruno Bettelheim pointed out the importance of fairy tales in childhood. Will you tell us your favorite fairy tale? And do you see parallels to your own adult life?

Helmut Luft: "The Bremen Town Musicians" is an example of how older people can emancipate themselves again and find something better than death, form a band of elderly people. The music and a supporting network of relationships have also become a comfort to me in my old age.


DWP: I dream,….

Helmut Luft: I like to dream and keep a dream diary to read. In the process I learn a lot about myself and my life circumstances - not just pleasant things.


DWP: What do you find good or particularly good about psychoanalysis and is there anything you do not like about it?

Helmut Luft: I see psychoanalysis as an essential step in the evolution of man. Everyone should be able to participate. I do not like to turn it into a secret esoteric science.
 

DWP: What challenges did you have to face during your analytic training?

Helmut Luft: I had to find new ways to apply the essentials to my work as a clinician.


DWP: Do you have a favorite Freud - quote?

Helmut Luft: “The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest till it has gained a hearing”
(The Future of an Illusion, 1927)


DWP:  Are there other psychoanalysts, in addition to Sigmund Freud, who you like to study?

Helmut Luft: Many, among others Balint, Kernberg, Mitscherlich, Bion, Radebold.


Thank you very much for this conversation, we are already looking forward to your leading article!



Contact information of the author:
Helmut Luft