Object Relations Theory and Therapy for the Disillusioned Nationalist

In my psychotherapy practice, including my clinical supervision work, I’m continually faced with urgency, anger, disgust and avoidance in the countertransference when working with patients who have a strong nationalist identity, particularly if they are in the military or police force. Over the last decade, I’ve been faced with the weight of these feelings toward Zionist patients as well. As an anti-Apartheid, pro-Palestinian queer Muslim therapist, I’m called to hold a neutral space while hearing about people’s love and devotion for Israel, the embrace of Right of Return trips, and patient’s excitement at the possibility of meeting other gay men in that region of the world. One patient who struggled with his diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder developed a fantasy of possible acceptance within the Israeli Defence Force. The ongoing romanticization of Israel without any acknowledgement of the conditions of Apartheid and the subjugation of Palestinians has always been challenging. Nevertheless, I’m resolute in my belief that everyone has a right to healthcare, which includes mental health care.

As a psychodynamic therapist, I believe in working with the transference and countertransference. I was prompted to write this essay following a series of clinical supervision sessions with a therapist who grew up in a war-torn region of the world and has strong feelings about Israel as an oppressive power. The therapist had no significant difficulty supporting her patients until the October 7th attacks on Israel. Since then, she’s been feeling frequent dysregulation when one of her patients, a Zionist, has been talking about feeling “unsafe” to talk about her feelings as a Canadian Jew outside the therapy space. In our clinical supervision session, I commiserated with my supervisee about the difficulty of holding such a space when we feel deep in our gut a scream for ceasefires as the body count in Gaza climbs to the tens of thousands. In our last supervision session, I suggested we use an object relations analysis to treat Israel as a parent, an internalized object with which disillusionment and grief slowly emerge.

This essay explores the profound impact of national identity and intergenerational beliefs about national allegiance on mental health, particularly in the context of veterans, law enforcement officers, and Zionists who often experience isolation and disillusionment following many years of service and loyalty. As clinicians, we must delve into the complexity of psychological distress stemming from a clash between deeply held patriotic values and the harsh realities of political and social dynamics.

I will explain how we can use an object relations lens in treatment. I will offer insight into how early relational patterns influence one’s perception of and reaction to national and personal identity crises. Additionally, I draw on Naomi Klein’s concept of “Doppelgänger Politics” and its relevance in understanding contemporary political strategies, especially in manipulating and reframing social issues as was (likely unknowingly) executed in a letter by the members of the Israeli Psychoanalytic Societies and Institutes.

By integrating these theoretical perspectives, the essay sheds light on the intricate relationship between individual psychology, national allegiance, and the broader socio-political environment.

Deceptive Nationalism and Psychological Distress

The intricate interplay between nationality, patriotism, and mental health is particularly evident among veterans [1] and law enforcement officers [2,3], who often navigate complex emotional and psychological landscapes. Their deep-seated nationalistic and patriotic sentiments, experiences, and personal sacrifices create a unique psychological profile. This profile is characterized by a strong identification with national ideals, leading to significant mental health challenges when these ideals are perceived as being threatened or betrayed. Such individuals may experience intense feelings of disillusionment, betrayal, and loss, akin to grieving when confronted with realities that starkly contrast their ingrained beliefs and values.

This is what is likely being experienced by many Jewish people raised only to see Israel as a land to be “protected” at all costs. This sense of loss is not merely ideological but deeply personal, often manifesting in mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and identity crises. The impact of this dissonance is profound, necessitating a closer examination of the psychological mechanisms at play and the need for targeted mental health interventions. As a result of recent solidarity movements that call for a return of occupied land, some Zionists are beginning to process the reality of Israeli Apartheid and witnessing themselves leave the denial stage of their grief as they see the unrelenting bombardment of Gaza — tantamount to genocide.

Activist groups like Jewish Voice for Peace have been creating awareness about the dangers of nationalist propaganda for years. Within a resource guide on the BDS Movement, they describe “Our Approach to Zionism” [4]:

Zionist interpretations of history taught us that Jewish people are alone, that to remedy the harms of antisemitism we must think of ourselves as always under attack and that we cannot trust others. It teaches us fear, and that the best response to fear is a bigger gun, a taller wall, a more humiliating checkpoint.

Rather than accept the inevitability of occupation and dispossession, we choose a different path. We learn from the anti-Zionist Jews who came before us, and know that as long as Zionism has existed, so has Jewish dissent to it. Especially as we face the violent antisemitism fueled by white nationalism in the United States today, we choose solidarity. We choose collective liberation. We choose a future where everyone, including Palestinians and Jewish Israelis, can live their lives freely in vibrant, safe, equitable communities, with basic human needs fulfilled.

My argument is that Zionists are struggling in ways that are akin to veterans and members of law enforcement. It is, therefore, necessary to address grief and identity crises with people who are beginning to feel disillusioned by their experiences; this is crucial in the realm of mental health care. These groups often grapple with complex emotions tied to their service and the realizations about the broader implications of their roles.

Naomi Klein’s Theory of Doppelgänger Politics

Naomi Klein, a social activist and author, has articulated various theories critically examining contemporary political and social dynamics. In a recent podcast interview, Klein talks about Doppelganger Politics [5], which can be described as the phenomenon where political groups or ideologies mirror or co-opt aspects of their opposition’s tactics or rhetoric, often to subvert or counteract them. This concept is particularly relevant in the analysis of modern political strategies. Two such examples are those employed within the conservative factions of the Canadian and American political parties regarding trans rights and anti-racism training.

Example one: Conservative Hijacking of Trans Rights as “Gender Ideology”

In recent years, there has been a noticeable trend within conservative circles to frame trans rights and the broader discourse on gender identity as a form of “gender ideology.” This tactic mirrors the strategies often used by progressive groups, who advocate for these rights based on inclusivity and human rights ideologies. By labelling these efforts as “gender ideology,” conservatives effectively reframe a human rights issue as a political and ideological debate [6]. This mirroring strategy serves multiple purposes: it mobilizes its base by framing the issue as an ideological battle, it shifts the conversation from human rights to political discourse, and it attempts to delegitimize the push for trans rights by presenting it as a radical or fringe ideology.

Example two: Re-framing Anti-Racism and Unconscious Bias Training:

Another instance where “Doppelganger Politics” is evident is in the conservative portrayal of anti-racism initiatives and unconscious bias training. By labelling these efforts as mere exercises in “political correctness,” The Right mirrors the language of progressive activism but uses it to push a contrary agenda. This strategy involves adopting the form of social justice rhetoric (i.e., calling out perceived injustices or wrongs) but using it to oppose initiatives aimed at addressing systemic racism and bias. By doing so, they not only challenge these initiatives but also seek to redefine the terms of the conversation, making it about free speech [7] and the alleged suppression of alternative viewpoints rather than about addressing systemic inequalities.

Psychoanalytic Ignorance to Doppelgänger Politics

The letter from the Israeli Psychoanalytic Societies and Institutes addresses a series of violent attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, by Hamas [8]. It describes the attacks as barbaric and inhumane, emphasizing the suffering of Israeli citizens. The letter calls for solidarity and condemnation of these acts, criticizing those who overlook or deny the atrocities against Israelis. It emphasizes the ethical commitment of mental health professionals to all affected individuals and condemns the use of civilians as human shields. The letter appeals for recognition of the human catastrophe and condemnation of the violence against innocent civilians.

The letter, focusing on the violence and inhumanity of the Hamas attacks, operates as an attempt to unify a Zionist base by highlighting the extremity of the enemy’s actions, deliberately overshadowing and ignoring similar actions and policies on Israel’s part. By projecting their own worst traits of terrorism (e.g. the Nakba [9,10], settlements, checkpoints, and collective punishment [11]) onto Hamas, they create a ‘doppelgänger’ (or mirror image) of themselves in their opposition, thereby simplifying the complex nature of the conflict and diverting attention from a more nuanced understanding of their own role in it.

The Israeli psychoanalytic community, along with other Zionist mental health professionals, commonly talk about “both sides” of the conflict as though the sides are equal and as though the events of October 7th were completely unprovoked. This is ahistorical and untrue, as explained by Sarah Schulman in her October 16th article titled Explanations Are Not Excuses [12].

I agree with the Israeli Psychoanalytic Societies and Institutes that we need to be able to support all people affected by conflict, war and genocide. However, we need to be more aware and critical of how we are persuaded by nationalist propaganda and adopt a political analysis of settler colonialism. Suppose Zionist clinicians can sustain the narcissistic injury of recognizing that they have also been sold an unrealistic fear of annihilation to justify the genocide of another group. In this case, we can all frame our work more productively. That is, we can begin to work with the desire to protect Israel as an instinctual desire to protect the reputation of an abusive parent. Coincidentally, the psychoanalytic community has at their fingertips the theories and interventions of object relations to analyze their relationship to the state of Israel as an idealized object.

Object Relations Theory

Object Relations Theory is a significant branch of psychoanalytic thought that focuses on the importance of early relationships, particularly with primary caregivers, and how these relationships shape an individual’s psychological development and personality. It diverged from traditional Freudian psychoanalysis, emphasizing instinctual drives, by placing relational contexts at the center of psychological development and functioning.

Object Relations Theory originated with Melanie Klein [13], William Fairbairn [14], and Donald Winnicott [15] in the early 20th century. Unlike Freud’s focus on libidinal drives, object relations theorists posited that the need for relationships primarily drives human behaviour. Over time, this theory evolved to integrate elements of attachment theory, emphasizing how early bonding experiences influence adult relationships and mental health.

Here are the main (relevant) concepts that emerged from object relations theorists:

1. Object Relations: The dynamic interplay between the internalized images of significant others and the actual relationships with these figures.
2. Internal Objects: Mental representations of external individuals, primarily caregivers.
3. Splitting: A defense mechanism where individuals separate good and bad aspects of themselves and others to manage conflicting emotions.
4. Projective Identification: A psychological process where an individual projects parts of themselves onto another person.

You don’t have to be a psychoanalytic therapist to use these concepts. Here are some ways other popular modalities can use their existing frameworks to understand object relations theory.

Internal Family Systems Therapy: IFS emphasizes different ‘parts’ of the self and can be seen as an extension of the object relations concept of internal objects. Understanding how these parts are representatives of past relational dynamics can deepen the therapeutic process in IFS.

Attachment-Based Therapy: This modality directly draws from object relations, particularly focusing on early caregiver-child relationships. The object relations emphasis on internalizing these relationships complements the attachment theory’s focus on behavioural relationship patterns.

Gestalt Therapy: The object relations focus on relational experiences aligns with Gestalt's emphasis on the here-and-now experience and the individual’s perception of their world. Understanding internal objects can provide insights into how past relationships shape current interpersonal dynamics in the Gestalt contact cycle.

Narrative Therapy: Object relations theory provides a framework for understanding how early relational experiences contribute to the life story an individual constructs. The concept of internal objects can inform the narrative therapy process by revealing how past relationships shape individuals’ stories about themselves and their world.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Although CBT primarily focuses on cognitions and behaviours, understanding the influence of early object relations can enhance CBT by addressing the root causes of deeply ingrained negative thought patterns. For instance, core beliefs about the self as a defender of the nation-state developed through early relationships can manifest as cognitive distortions targeted in CBT.

Object Relations Theory and The Grieving Nationalist

I want to present a case study of what it might look like to support someone in the throws of an identity crisis deeply connected to nationalism and, more specifically, Zionism.

Client Background:

Age/Gender: 28 years old, male

Ethnicity/Cultural Background: Grandson of political refugees / Holocaust survivors

Family History: Grandparents fled political persecution from Nazis, finding refuge in Israel. This country has been idealized across three generations: grandparents, parents, and the client.

Presenting Problem

The client, deeply attached to his family’s narrative of the host country as a safe haven and symbol of hope, is experiencing profound shock, disappointment, and grief. He recently learned of the country’s involvement in harmful actions towards minority groups and misuse of military power. He recognizes the reality of echo chambers of information sharing and the deep sense of vulnerability and guilt that comes with challenging collective family narratives. Nevertheless, the recent revelation has led to a sense of betrayal and disillusionment with the nation-state, akin to discovering a beloved parent’s harmful actions.

Application of Object Relations Theory

The client’s psychological process mirrors the object relations concept where the beloved country is seen as an ‘all-good’ parental figure. The new information about the country’s actions shatters this idealization, leading to a process of devaluation. Initially, the client’s perception of the country was split into ‘all good’ with no recognition of its flaws. The revelation forces a re-evaluation, causing internal conflict as the client struggles to integrate the good and bad aspects of the country. The client may have unconsciously projected ideals and desires onto the country, viewing it as a repository of virtue and safety. The realization of the country’s darker aspects forces the client to confront these projections. The client’s disillusionment is akin to mourning the loss of an idealized parent. He experiences grief not only for the loss of the ideal but also for the realization of having been deceived and used.

Feelings of anger and betrayal dominate as the client grapples with the sense of being misled by a trusted figure. This reflects a child’s anger towards a parent upon realizing their fallibility and potential for harm. The client’s identity, heavily influenced by his family’s narrative and the idealization of the country, undergoes a reevaluation. This can lead to a more mature understanding of the complexities of his heritage and the nature of idealization.

Therapeutic Goals

1. Help the client integrate the positive and negative aspects of the country, moving away from a split perspective.
2. Facilitating the mourning process for the loss of the idealized image and guiding towards acceptance of reality.
3. Supporting the client in rebuilding his identity in the wake of this disillusionment.
4. Working through feelings of anger and betrayal and understanding their roots in the client’s personal history and family narrative.

In today’s world, we must acknowledge and work with the critical intersection of mental health, national identity, and political dynamics. One way to approach this is through the lens of object relations theory and appropriately using the concept of “Doppelgänger Politics” to refine our understanding of the political arena. Whether you’re working with veterans, former law enforcement officers, or grieving Zionists, the work will likely center around grappling with disillusionment and identity crises. We can do this by underscoring the importance of recognizing the role of early relational experiences in shaping one’s reaction to national and personal crises. There are two clear takeaways for the reader: 1) there is need for mental health professionals to consider the broader socio-political context in their therapeutic approaches, acknowledging the profound influence of national identity and political ideologies on individual psychology; 2) Mental health professionals–and particularly the Israeli Psychoanalytic Societies and Institutes who felt embolden to pen their letter to all practitioners–to broaden their understanding of how political strategies can influence and manipulate public perception of key social issues that allow a state to weaponize Jewish grief and historical trauma to justify the genocide of Palestinians.

Endnotes

[1] Kesling, B. (2023, June 30). The Military Recruiting Crisis: Even Veterans Don’t Want Their Families to Join. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/military-recruiting-crisis-veterans-dont-want-their-children-to-join-510e1a25

[2] Cooper, R. (2021, April 24). The toxic culture of American police. The Week. https://theweek.com/articles/979098/toxic-culture-american-police

[3] Bikos, L. (2017, May 17). It’s not just the RCMP: Police culture is toxic. The Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/its-not-just-the-rcmp-police-culture-is-toxic/article35014971/

[4] What is BDS? — Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. (2023, August 24). JVP. https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/resource/zionism/

[5] Naomi Klein on Israel’s “Doppelganger Politics.” (2023). Jewish Currents. https://jewishcurrents.org/naomi-klein-on-israels-doppelganger-politics

[6] Burns, K. (2023, March 10). Decoding the language of the anti-trans movement. Xtra Magazine. https://xtramagazine.com/health/trans-health/trans-language-knowles-247358

[7] Titley, G. (2021, June 20). Op-Ed: Freedom of speech is weaponized to fight anti-racism. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-06-20/free-speech-racism-digital-age

[8] Chetrit-Vatine, V., Talma, S., Kulka, R., Yavin Arnon, A., Brosh Palmoni, B., Elyakim-Meroz, I., Ariel, L. (2023). Statement of the Members of the Israeli Psychoanalytic Societies and Institutes. The Psychoanalytic and Analytic Societies and Institutes in Israel. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://files.constantcontact.com/ab0d3db8001/db0278fc-510d-4ce7-9bf7-60bcd007081a.pdf?rdr=true

[9] The Nakba May 15, 1948. (n.d.). https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/JVP-Nakba-Fact-Sheet.pdf

[10] Haddad, M. (2022, May 15). Nakba Day: What happened in Palestine in 1948? Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/15/nakba-mapping-palestinian-villages-destroyed-by-israel-in-1948

[11] Abu Sneineh, M. (2017, December 22). INTERVIEW: Ilan Pappé: How Israel turned Palestine into the biggest prison on earth. Middle East Eye. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/interview-ilan-pappe-how-israel-turned-palestine-biggest-prison-earth

[12] Schulman, S. (2023, October 16). Explanations Are Not Excuses. Intelligencer. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/10/israel-gaza-war-manufactured-consent.html

[13] Etherington, L. (2020). Melanie Klein (Object Relations Theory) | Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/Melanie-Klein.html

[14] Celani, D. P. (2010). Fairbairn’s object relations theory in the clinical setting. Columbia University Press.

[15] Carveth, D. L. (1994). Dark epiphany: The encounter with finitude or the discovery of the object in The Body. Psychoanalysis & Contemporary Thought, 17(2), 215–250. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1994-36786-001

This essay was first published on Medium on December 16, 2023.