Silence as communication in psychodynamic psychotherapy

Moments of silence in the therapy hour, on the part of the client or therapist, can communicate important psychodynamic information, as well as deeply facilitate the therapeutic encounter. The client may be communicating emotional and relational messages of need and meaning. The therapist can use silence to communicate safety, understanding and containment. However, if this intervention is not skillfully and sensitively employed by the practitioner, the client may feel the therapist's quietness as distance, disinterest, and disengagement, leading to breaches in the trust and safety of the therapeutic alliance.