Posted by lucy stone on July 26, 2004, at 8:33:49
In reply to Re: Laying down vs. sitting » lucy stone, posted by zenhussy on July 26, 2004, at 1:48:22
My analyst says that he has some patients who do analysis sitting. I sit when I want to talk to him directly rather than do analysis, that is when I have an issue about the process I want to talk about. He has two matching big leather chairs that he uses for those people who are not in analysis. They kind of angle out so you can look at him or out into the room. He also has a big leather ottoman that you can use to put your feet up if you want. Sitting in the chair with your feet up and looking into the room is not that different than lying in the couch and looking at the ceiling. The big difference is that you are not actually lying down and can look over at him if you wish. I think that would help someone struggling with the power differential between patient and analyst. He always emphasizes that the postion is totally up to the patient and the I can use whatever position is best for me. The couch is a tool of analysis and not what the analysis is about. It's only useful if it helps.
poster:lucy stone
thread:370435
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040723/msgs/370636.html