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Elements of the private therapeutic interview
1Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|December 1, 1987
Summary
Privacy in psychiatric interviews shapes unique patient-therapist dynamics, including conversational rhythms, focused attention, and the ability to retract statements. This contrasts with intimacy in typical social interactions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Previous research explored differences between private and observed psychiatric interviews.
- Understanding the unique elements of privacy in therapeutic settings is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific elements of psychiatric interviews that are contingent on privacy.
- To analyze the impact of privacy on patient-therapist dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of private versus observed psychiatric interviews.
- Qualitative exploration of interactional patterns within the therapeutic dyad.
Main Results:
- Identified distinct conversational rhythms and levels of concentration in private interviews.
- Observed a greater capacity for "undoing" or retracting statements in private settings.
- Differentiated the nature of intimacy developed in therapeutic relationships versus everyday social contexts.
Conclusions:
- Privacy significantly influences the therapeutic process, fostering unique interactional qualities.
- The findings highlight the importance of privacy for developing therapeutic intimacy and facilitating patient expression.