Changing the terms of psychoanalysis. From object to space and the nature of the transition

This paper examines the two versions of DWW’s paper on transitional objects and transitional phenomena and compares the 1951 paper with other papers of the period to argue for the significant shift heralded by Winnicott and his approach. The paper goes on to discuss the extensive use of Winnicott’s ideas in a range of different disciplines and clinical conditions and argues for a careful rereading of Winnicott himself and his fundamental contribution. Keywords: Winnicott, Transitional objects, Transitional phenomena.