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 Pere Llovet Planas from Barcelona, Spain:

Clinical Psychologist at  the Universities of Barcelona and Geneva, Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist, Diploma in Advanced studies in Political Science and Sociology at  Barcelona’s Pompeu Fabra University.
Professional Development as Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist in Public Services in Geneva and Barcelona, Clinical supervisor at various public services and private groups, Teaching at several academic or professional institutions in Barcelona and other Spanish cities.
Publications:
“The emotional connection of the couple from the relational psychoanalysis perspective” (Catalan and Spanish) (book)
“Six psychoanalytical studies about love and the couple” (Spanish) (book)
About 20 articles in several Spanish and international publications 
Institutions:
President of the Spanish Association for Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy (AEPP)
Couple and Family Section Delegate at the European Federation for Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy (EFPP)


DWP: What brought you to psychoanalysis?

Pere Llovet Planas: It was the desire to understand how the mind functions.

Freud and the mind’s structure was part of the religious education curriculum when I attended  High School in Barcelona in 1969. Later, I accidentally came across Freud’s book “Three essays in sexuality”. I was sixteen at that time, so I read the book. Although I didn’t find what I had expect, I found something even more interesting!!
 

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

Pere Llovet Planas: Without a doubt, the main topic would be the recent findings in neuroscience. I guess he would like this topic very much.

I would also ask him about the relational aspects of the mind and his opinion on Bowlby’s ideas and works.

Finally, I would address the relationship between psychoanalysis and other disciplines.For the longest time, psychoanalysis used to have a one-sided influence over the others, but in the long run this neglect of two-way communication can lead to a kind of “splendid” isolation. Psychoanalysis can also learn from other disciplines.   


DWP: Fabric or leather couch?

Pere Llovet Planas: What a dilemma! It depends on its use, but well, mine is made of fabric!


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?

Pere Llovet Planas: I love his book and it had a big impact on me. I once applied a therapeutic method to autistic children, and wrote a thesis about it at Genève university.

The three little pigs and the wolf is my favourite fairy tale, because of its focus on the relationship between maturing and the pleasure principle versus the reality principle.

My adult life is somehow based on these little pigs, but please, don’t misunderstand me!!


DWP: I dream,…

Pere Llovet Planas: When I chose my profession, I thought that emotional sensibility and empathy were vital - individually,socially and politically.


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

Pere Llovet Planas: Psychoanalysis combines a scientific and humanistic approach towards the human world.

Concerns the mental health, Psychoanalysis offers a humanistic and patient-centered approach and seeks to understand disorders as defensive or survival reactions.

I don’t like some aspects of the institutionalization of psychoanalysis in particular parts of the training the difficulties associated with re-invention and incorporation of  new scientific findings, and dialogue with other disciplines. 


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

Pere Llovet Planas: The ones that I mentioned above.

 
DWP: Do you have a favorite Freud - quote?

Pere Llovet Planas: My favorite Freud’s quotes change periodically, but I would choose a quote related to his first studies on neurology (and his involvement), and also his interpretation of cultural/artistic works and everyday life.

Reading Freud is always stimulating due to his discursive, lively nature


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

Pere Llovet Planas: Of course! Bowlby, Winnicott, Ferenczi. Also Stephen Mitchell and David Scharff.


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


Contact information:
Pere Llovet Planas