A patient in psychoanalysis suddenly begins to miss his regularly scheduled therapy appointment. When he does make his appointment, he complains that the therapy is not making progress and should be brought to an end. Freud might have made each of the following statements about this behavior except one. Which one?
A) The patient is engaging in resistance.
B) The therapist is off track and should explore new directions in trying to uncover the source of the patient's problem.
C) The therapist is on the right track and a significant breakthrough may be at hand.
D) The patient consciously believes therapy is not making progress.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Freud would not have suggested that the therapist explore new directions in trying to uncover the source of the patient's problem in response to the patient's missed appointments and desire to end therapy. Instead, he would see the patient's behavior as a form of resistance, an unconscious attempt to avoid painful emotions and memories that might be uncovered through therapy. Freud would likely interpret the patient's complaints about lack of progress as further evidence of resistance rather than a conscious belief about the effectiveness of therapy. While he might see a breakthrough as possible or even likely in this situation, he would not necessarily claim that the therapist was on the "right track," as the patient's resistance may require the therapist to take a different approach.

A Patient in Psychoanalysis Suddenly Begins to Miss His Regularly