How is “I–Thou” relationship presented? Echoes in relational-intersubjective psychoanalysis

Martin Buber's philosophy of dialogue has significant resonances with relational-intersubjective psychoanalysis, yet the communication between these two fields has not been sufficiently explored. Broadly speaking, the concept of the "I–Thou" relationship is akin to mutual recognition, manifesting primarily in two ways: (1) During smooth interactions, both parties can fully engage in the ongoing dialogue, achieving attunement and responsiveness through both nonverbal and verbal communication; (2) During less smooth interactions, both parties remain open to dialogue, negotiate areas of disagreement, and even attempt to repair the relationship after a breakdown. Relational-intersubjective psychoanalysis and related research extends Buber's philosophy of dialogue by emphasizing nonverbal communication in infancy, focusing on intersubjective interactions at the micro level, providing evidence for Buber's concept of "healing through encounter," and considering the complementarity of encounter (interactive regulation) and insight (self regulation). Future research could delve into guiding the interaction patterns of certain clients from an "I–It" relationship to an "I–Thou" relationship, which remains a crucial area for further exploration.