Maternal eroticism is explored as an etiological agent in the birth of psychic freedom. Pre-Oedipal functioning is revealed in an otherwise sophisticated patient, with pseudo maturity concretized in virginity. Themes of pregnancy, early infant care and breastfeeding repeatedly erupt in the analysis with a predominantly erotic transference-countertransference. Waves of abjection in the treatment, culminating in the analyst’s pregnancy, are emphasized in the development of independent thought and Oedipal operations. Family of origin impressions convey deadened sexuality in the analysand’s mother, consistent with Kristevan theory. In contrast, the analyst’s own desire for a baby is explored as an enigmatic signifier and developmental catalyst. Cournut-Janin’s description of maternal cathexis of the female child’s body is noted in the treatment.

Dr. Summer Telio is a psychoanalyst and psychiatrist faculty member of the University of British Columbia. She is a member of the Western Canada Psychoanalytic Society and Institute and Medical Director of the Vancouver General Hospital Access and Assessment Centre, an outpatient emergency psychiatric service. She is a graduate of the UBC Centre for Health Education Scholarship Medical Educator Fellowship Program and has a Masters in Medical Education from the University of Dundee. She is active in providing supervision to medical trainees in acute psychiatry as well as psychodynamic psychotherapy and developed a research interest in feedback in medical education.