Neutrality and curiosity: elements of technique.
In the past three decades, neutrality has come under increasing criticism. The idea that a psychoanalyst can leave himself out of the therapeutic exchange has come to be seen as either an impossible dream or a myth. We propose that examining neutrality through the lens of curiosity allows for a new appreciation of the ongoing and vital importance of this psychoanalytic attitude. Our hypothesis is that curiosity and neutrality are linked, and that to maintain a neutral stance, the analyst must be able to direct a relatively conflict-free curiosity toward the workings of the analysand's mind as well as his own.
Nersessian
Edward
E
New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, USA. enerss@worldnet.att.net
Silvan
Matthew
M
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001364:Awareness; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007323:Instinct; D008297:Male; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014473:Unconscious, Psychology