An empty mirror: reflections on nonrepresentation.

André Green has proposed that when a failure occurs in the process of differentiating from, mourning, and symbolizing the primary object, that is, of representing it, a void is left in the place of a representation. The author considers how such a failure might manifest itself in clinical material and whether an understanding of this theoretical thinking might help us conduct our clinical work. Green's thinking on this subject is summarized, and two detailed case examples are presented to illustrate the clinical application of his ideas.