Sessions 3 to 7. Consistency and Continuity was maintained. Patient had productive weeks of work. Many pending work were completed. She was not hesitating or avoiding new assignments. She shared, how she has managed to clear up the house, donated some of her belongings in good condition and disposed off old worn out and irrelevant objects. She expressed Surprise at how she has found the Motivation to put her house in order. “I think, I am sleeping better in my own bed, rather than falling asleep on sofa and couches.! I even put on some music this last weekend.” Therapist remarked, “You sound Optimistic.” Patient rephrased him, “I feel Happy.” “I plan on going out this weekend, with few friends.”
Session 8. Patient presented with anxiety and dip in mood. She demanded to change or increase the dose of Medication. The Therapist recommended, “Lets first have our conversation, and perhaps then review the medication.” Patient narrated a Dream she had the previous night. In her Dream, she was Dancing with a Man. She was happy but failed to recall the man’s face. She felt they had a perfect synchrony in the Dance.” Therapist queried, “Why the Anxiety then? Patient queried and Deflected, “Are you married? You must be having a good family.!” The Therapist correlated, “Yes, but how does this Relate to the dream and experience you had.!”
“I have a feeling, the Man in the dream looked like you.” Therapist observed her face turning a bit down and gaze turning away, breaking the eye contact (see Note1). And he asked, “If it was me, how do you feel about it now?” Patient replied,” It feels wrong.” Therapist had noticed the hint of Shame and hidden Guilt. He reassured,” It is not uncommon to have or experience feelings of closeness or intimacy with a therapist. Especially if you feel comfortable and there may be a mutual sense of Connect.!” Patient stated,”I Trust you.” She proceeded to narrate how she had seen a Counselor few years ago. “I don’t remember, if he was a psychologist. But he worked for Relationship Counseling for some time. We started dating later (see Note2). He was very understanding in the beginning, heard me out and tried to change me. He became very controlling later, and I had to end the relationship when it felt abusive.”
Therapist enquired,” Does it seem like a Pattern repeats in your Relationships.?” Patient stated,”I feel Safe here.” She denied the need for medications to be reviewed and as she felt better.
Therapist reflected after the Session whether Hope, Optimism, Motivation, Joy, Connect, Relate and Trust are enough to set the Stage for Healing. What more is Needed.?
Read next; Does Safety Net enable or divert the compulsions to repeat past Pattern.!!
Note1: The focus in psychodynamic psychotherapy is, in large part, the therapist and patient recognizing the transference relationship and exploring the relationship’s meaning. Since the transference between patient and therapist happens on an unconscious level, psychodynamic therapists who are largely concerned with a patient’s unconscious material use the transference to reveal unresolved conflicts patients have with childhood figures.
Note2: For the therapist, any signs of countertransference would suggest that his or her own personal training analysis needs to be continued to overcome these tendencies