The Therapist
The relationship with the therapist is an important part of the therapy. He or she offers a confidential, safe and private place where the unconscious patterns of one's inner world can be played out. The safe setting that they create means that emotional conflicts can be relived and new solutions can be found to old problems. This process helps us to identify those patterns of behaviour, which we keep repeating. On becoming aware of old patterns, it then becomes possible to change them.
The psychoanalytic psychotherapist will reveal little about himself or herself. Although they may appear to be somewhat detached, the approach helps patients to express unconscious wishes and conflicts. The difficulties that patients may have in their lives, especially past conflicts, are reflected in the relationship between the therapist and ourselves. Although this experience can be uncomfortable, it is the basis for providing the kind of insights that help us to tackle problems.
Read more about this topic: British Psychoanalytic Council, Further Information On Psychotherapy
Famous quotes containing the word therapist:
“Deep inside us, we know what every family therapist knows: the problems between the parents become the problems within the children.”
—Roger Gould (20th century)