Poster 5

We know that there are conscious and unconscious dynamics that occur in the therapeutic interaction. In our therapeutic work with children, both individually and in groups, we work with animals as 'adjunct therapists' in the psychotherapeutic encounter. It is our feeling that this adds another dimension to the therapeutic dyad making it a triad, in individual therapy. In group therapy, the animal becomes a major part of the matrix, as conceived by Foulkes.

This presentation places the animal as a major player in the therapeutic relationship. In effect, we feel that the therapist becomes an 'adjunct' to the animal. The animal is more attuned to the emotions of the patient and helps the therapist tune-in to the underlying dynamics. If we are concerned about countertransference in the therapeutic relationship, utilizing animals as therapeutic agents, allows the therapist to observe the interactional processes between the patient (s) and the animal, and this helps both in diagnosis as well as in treatment.

The animal aids in the development of a transference relationship, and helps the therapist to better understand the patient as well as him/herself.

We will present a proposal for linking both theory and clinical practice, in an understanding of the mystical unconscious that hovers over the patient, therapist and animal. We will explore this in light of psychodynamic theory, focusing on the underlying mystical qualities that typify, in our thinking, the unconscious. We will explore what is 'felt' in the therapeutic interaction.