What Happens In The Psychoanalyst's Office

Video: What Happens In The Psychoanalyst's Office

Video: What Happens In The Psychoanalyst's Office
Video: Michael Scott... DIAGNOSED | the office 2024, May
What Happens In The Psychoanalyst's Office
What Happens In The Psychoanalyst's Office
Anonim

During a psychoanalytic session (session) there are two people in the office - a client and a psychoanalyst. The psychoanalyst sits in a chair and the client sits or lies on a couch. Previously, the client was asked to lie down on the couch from the very first session, now this is done much later; it also happens that the client is in a sitting position throughout his analysis. When the client is sitting, he can see the psychoanalyst; in the prone position, the analyst does not see.

A relaxed state in the supine position contributes to a deeper immersion of the client in his unconscious, but one must first prepare for such a deep immersion in a sitting position. The question of when to start (and whether to start at all) to work lying on the couch is decided by the client and the psychoanalyst jointly, although, as a rule, the analyst is the first to suggest moving to this form of work.

The first few sessions last an hour and a half each and are introductory. The analyst asks the client questions to learn more about him and his problems. After orientation meetings, the analyst and the client decide if they agree to continue working. If they come to a positive decision, then the frequency and timing of further meetings, which should be held regularly, are discussed between them. They also negotiate the amount of payment and other organizational issues. Subsequent sessions are 45 minutes long. The analyst invites the patient to follow the basic rule of psychoanalysis: "Say the first thing that comes to your mind."

From this moment on, the number of the client's speech at the session significantly prevails over the number of the analyst's speech, who listens attentively to the client, and on the basis of his professional knowledge and experience, as well as thanks to his personal qualities, draws conclusions and periodically gives his comments - interpretations. With the help of interpretations, the analyst reveals to the client unconscious aspects of his personality hitherto unconscious. After that, the analyst, as a rule, invites the client to reflect on this interpretation and discuss it, express his feelings and experiences associated with it.

This process is called working through, through which the client not only receives new knowledge about himself, but comes to a new awareness of himself. Figuratively we can say that the instrument of psychoanalysis is the relationship between the client and the analyst, expressed in words. The analyst strives to provide the client with a comfortable, psychologically safe and calm space, conducive to the most complete self-expression of the client, and during the sessions pays all his attention to him.

Assuming that the client is equally interested in his own psychological well-being, the analyst recommends that the client also devote all his attention during the sessions to the joint psychoanalytic work, refraining from anything that might interfere with it. During psychoanalytic sessions, it is recommended not to use a mobile phone, other technical means, not to smoke, not to eat, and also not to get up from the couch unless absolutely necessary.

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