Posted by badhaircut on January 13, 2005, at 16:21:03
In reply to Free association and therapy, posted by annierose on January 13, 2005, at 14:11:05
My psychoanalyst (from years ago, when I tried that) said that free association was the goal, but that no one could ever do it. Or, not after the first 3/10 of a second on the couch. Problems, fears, conflicts, etc, kick in almost immediately and derail it. He said it was in such resistance that the worthwhile work of psychoanalysis could be done.
For example, I might think of something mundane, but then the associations to that innocent thought would freak me out, so I wouldn't say anything. My analyst said that the reasons WHY I wouldn't say what had popped into my head were the key to "illness."
I no longer think psychoanalysis is worthwhile (but I have respect for and mean no offense to analysts and analysands!). I do, however, think this focus on the resistance to what comes up from inside us is pretty much the key to relieving human psychological suffering.
poster:badhaircut
thread:441668
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050111/msgs/441717.html