[Beginning of the session in psychoanalytic therapy]

This paper deals with a concept for structural comprehension of individual psychoanalytic and psychoanalytic-oriented therapy. The beginning of the respective therapeutic session is viewed within the concept of the precipitating circumstances. That which is expressed at the onset of the hour is thus perceived as a compromise formation originating in the Ego. The paper confines itself to the verbal aspects of this compromise. As a rule, the subject dealt with at the verbal onset of the session is modified during the course of the hour or is replaced by other subject matter. These modifications are viewed as variations on a constant unconscious basic theme.