Abstract: | The continuum of listening discussed in this article includes the analyst's or therapist's states of consciousness; his or her focus of attention, ranging from free floating to sharply focused; and the kinds of interventions that he or she can formulate at each point on the continuum. At one end, the analyst is relatively unaware of many of his or her own thought processes, and interventions surprise the analyst because they are formulated unconsciously. They may appear as a slip of the tongue or as a vivid image. In the middle range of the continuum, the analyst functions in more usual states of awareness, and interventions address well-developed themes of all types, especially transference themes. At the most conscious, sharply focused end of the continuum, the analyst's interventions clarify affects and address defenses and minute forms of resistance. There is also a strong emphasis on focusing on the conscious thoughts and feelings of the analysand or patient. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |