While the term relational was initially used to bridge theories of internal object relations and the intersubjective field, in the past decades its meaning and scope have evolved dramatically, opening myriad questions for further study.

The term “relational” applies, most broadly, on three levels:

• The understanding that all ideas, including psychoanalytic wisdom, are historical, linguistic, political and contextual.
  An appreciation that individual experiences and intrapsychic structures derive largely from and are transformations of relationships with significant others.
• The discovery that therapeutic change operates, at the same time, both intrapsychically and interpersonally and is most usefully explored in terms of the evolving relationship between patient and therapist.
• Fundamental to this outlook is an appreciation that all ideas, including psychoanalytic conceptions and accumulated wisdom, are historical, linguistic, political, and contextual. Individual personality and intrapsychic structures are constructed and derive substantially from personal transformations that come into being in the context of human relationships.

IARPP makes it possible for individuals in different contexts and locales to share common interests, experiences and resources through conferences and courses online, in person and in discussion groups. IARPP members will also receive substantial discounts to conferences, journals and more. We invite you to join us!

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