Clara Thompson’s main contribution to the field of psychoanalysis consists of an extensive overview of the field.
Thompson divided Psychoanalysis’ development into four periods:
(1) 1885–1900: In this period the majority of the basic ideas of psychoanalysis were born out of Freud’s mind and remain at the center of some schools up till the present day.
(2) 1900–1910/1920: Stressed the importance of the biological sexual development of the child.
(3) 1910–1925: The focus extended itself to the entire personality.
(4) 1925–present: The view on psychoanalysis expanded from internal forces only (the classic psychoanalysis) to the influences of culture and other persons on the patient and its psychoanalysis. This is also the view that Thompson herself embraced: the influence of culture and interpersonal relationship can never be discarded in psychoanalysis.
In theory and practice she emphasized and analyzed what went on between people to facilitate the growth of a human relationship. She passionately believed in the value of psychoanalysis for enhancing the humanity of persons, no matter how sick they appeared to be.
Her book “Psychoanalysis: Evolution and Development” (1951) is a comprehensive documentation of the course of psychoanalytic theory and practice and Thompson's main point is that psychoanalysis has changed since its Freudian theorisation. Specifically, although she recognises Freud's genius, she notes his limitations in the theory and focuses on the changes that occurred due to the contribution of great therapists that followed Freud. Thompson also refers to cultural anthropology research as another contributor to further evolution of psychoanalysis. Moreover, in this book she investigates how the therapist-patient relationship has been viewed in the course of time. She underscores the importance of this relationship in the therapeutic procedure.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Thompson)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Thompson)
