A psychoanalyst has noticed that whenever a patient begins talking about his father, he has very little to say or he will quickly change the topic. When his father finally is discussed, the patient claims that his father is irrelevant. The therapist is most likely to interpret the patient's behavior as an instance of

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The patient's avoidance and minimal discussion about his father, followed by a dismissal of his father's relevance, are indicative of resistance. This is a psychological defense mechanism where a patient unconsciously avoids or refuses to discuss certain thoughts, feelings, or experiences, often because they are painful or difficult.  Sometimes during free association, a patient will be unable or unwilling to discuss certain topics, ideas, experiences, or desires. To the analyst, this signifies a barrier between the patient's conscious and unconscious life.

A Psychoanalyst Has Noticed That Whenever a Patient Begins Talking