Reflections on non-dreams-for-two, enactment and
the analyst’s implicit alpha-function
Roosevelt M.S. Cassorla, Campinas

Abstract: This article is intended as a contribution to the discussion, begun in other texts, on non-dreamsfor-two, enactment and the analyst’s implicit alpha-function. In the previous articles, as well as in this one, the focus is on the difficulties faced by the analytic dyad in their efforts to deal with unsymbolized areas of the mind. The original ideas emerged from clinical configurations where the analyst was involved in obstructive collusion without being aware of it, and this constituted non-dreams-for-two, or chronic enactments. At acertain moment (Moment M) an unthought act by the analyst and/ or the patient, which reflected the situation of the analytic dyad, indicated a catastrophic change that could be potentially destructive of the analytic process. Surprisingly, however, after this act the process became more creative. The article shows that, at this Moment M (also designated as acute enactment), traumatic situations – that had not been symbolized and that were unnoticeable during the initial obstructive collusion – are re-lived in attenuated form. Clinical observation led the author to conclude that, during this initial collusion (non-dreams-for-two) the analytic dyad becomes paralyzed in order to avoid contact with reality, which was felt as traumatic. At the same time, however, through unconscious communication between patient and analyst, the analyst injected implicit alpha-function into the patient. This injection was carried out gradually to avoid re-traumatism, and gradually restored traumatized areas. At a certain moment, when there has been sufficient recovery, the analytic field is occupied by traumatic non-dreams that are being dreamed here-and-now. They can thus be included in the symbolic net of thought.
Hypotheses are presented on the functions of non-dreams-for-two and on the unconscious communication between patient and analyst that enable the dream through the implicit alpha function. Finally, the author suggests that non-dreams should be classified under different vertexes and supposes that the analyst, as he re-dreams the dream of his patient in a non-psychotic area, can be, simultaneously and implicitly, dreaming psychotic, traumatic and other non-dreams that conceal areas of non-representation in the primordial mind.
Keywords: trauma; enactment; dreaming; implicit alpha-function; analytical technique; theory of thinking; Bion; reverted perspective; non-dream; non-dream-for-two; catastrophic change; transformations; classification of non-dreams.

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