The main aim of this essay is to examine the specificity of Winnicott’s object relations in the context of hisfinal formulations (1968 – 1971). Emanating from the classical Freudian model while in dialogue with Melanie Klein’s object relations theory, Winnicott evolved a specific object relations theory that is radically different from both Klein and Bion.
Psychic survival-of-the-object offers psychoanalysis a ‘new feature’ and constitutes the specificity of Winnicott’s object relations theory intrinsic to his clinical psychoanalytical paradigm. With reference to clinical work the author will highlight the “nature of the therapeutic action of psychoanalysis” to illustrate her proposal psychic survival-of-the-object.