RELATIONAL REINTERPRETATION OF THE “UNCONSCIOUS” AND ITS ROLE IN THE METHODOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOTHERAPY

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the transformation of the concept of the "unconscious" within the relational paradigm of modern psychotherapy. Relevance. Classical psychoanalysis viewed the unconscious as an intrapsychic formation isolated within the individual. In contrast, in the late 20th century, the "relational turn" led to a shift towards an intersubjective understanding of the psyche, in which unconscious processes are considered as co-created in the space of interaction between two people. This change in perspective raises the question of the methodological value of the updated concept of the unconscious for the theory and practice of psychotherapy. The purpose of the research is to reconstruct the evolution of ideas about the unconscious from the intra-personal model to the intersubjective one and to outline the theoretical, clinical, and methodological consequences of this shift. Methodology. The study employs theoretical analysis and synthesis of psychoanalytic literature; a historical-comparative review of concepts of the unconscious; and analysis of clinical examples reinterpreting therapeutic technique. Results. It is shown that the relational approach expands the concept of the unconscious: besides the "repressed within," it includes unconscious mutually conditioned processes between people – the so-called "relational unconscious." The change in perspective led to a rethinking of technique: psychotherapy is interpreted as a dialogue between two subjects, in which the unconscious manifests and transforms through interaction, not solely through interpretation by the analyst. Conclusions. The relational paradigm views the unconscious as a dynamic intersubjective process that combines the internal experience of the individual with the context of real relationships. This approach challenges the illusion of the analyst's complete neutrality and emphasizes the importance of mutuality and ethical reflection in the therapeutic space. Prospects. Further research should be directed towards developing empirical methods for studying the relational unconscious (e.g., analysis of nonverbal synchrony and "micro-processes" of dyadic coordination), assessing the impact of intersubjective factors on therapy outcome, and integrating neuroscientific data on unconscious emotional communication to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms of psychotherapeutic change.