Winnicott Case Summary

Winnicott Case Conceptualization
I. Psychoanalytical Assessment
Personality Structure:
Through the relationship Gary developed with his mother in his early environment, his sense of self developed with it. The lack of a solidified relationship between Gary and his mother resulted in Gary seeking psychotherapeutic treatment from Dr. Downing. Donald W. Winnicott would describe Gary’s ideal upbringing as one where his mother would have provided for his infantile needs amply as a “good-enough mother” (St Clair, 2004). Had Gary’s mother provided sufficiently for her son, she would have elicited an illusory sense of magic from Gary, his mother’s breast is part of himself, his mother would be omnipotent (St. Clair, 2004, Winnicott, 1960). As an infant, …show more content…
Gary was and has been in need of a “good-enough mother” to fulfill his needs and is constantly seeking these relationships. The academic figures in Gary’s life may serve as stand-ins for his mother as a way to fulfill his infantile, subconscious desires. Gary was disillusioned by his mother and was not fully able to see her as this all-present, all knowing being that Winnicott emphasized the importance of (St. Clair, 2004). The magic that would have been her ability to assuage his desires never developed. Because the school and the academic figureheads Gary interacted with serve a role as a “good-enough mother”, Gary’s excitement over receiving financial support from the school reflects a need that was satisfied (Transcript, 1). Gary exclaimed that the problem was solved right before his eyes and was the answer to his prayers (Transcript, 1). His declaration of being saved and him having to put forth little effort is of the same sentiment of omnipotence an infant experiences towards his or her caregiver when provided with adequate care (Transcript, 1). Another example of the need-seeking is when his literary pieces were rejected by the review board. It was not until he met with one of the poetry teachers who gave his work validation that he started to feel better (Transcript,

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