27

Drawing on the work of Donald Winnicott, the author proposes to consider the potential of illusion as a basis for any link between an individual and their environment. This ability is not innate, but rather acquired, usually at an early developmental stage in which transitional phenomena may occur. But this ability to make use of illusion depends on the mother’s own ability to make use of illusion. First, the author considers the transmission of this ability from mother to the child. Second, the author presents a clinical case that highlights the possible weaknesses of this transmission, their effects, and the way in which illusion and the ability to play may be put to work in a psychotherapeutic context.