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Presenter: The patient, who had been absent for a few sessions before this one, came into the consulting room and sat in the chair. She remained silent and appeared to be suffering some sort of anxiety. I told her that I sensed her anxiety and that she was consequently experiencing some difficulty.
Bion: Why did you say that to her?
P: I sensed an atmosphere of tension and anxiety, almost physically.
B: I was wondering why you felt it was necessary to mention it to the patient. I am not suggesting that you should or should not; I am merely wondering why you did.
P: It came to my mind, and I felt it was interesting to show it to her.
B: But why? I am not suggesting for a single moment that I am asking you some simple question.
P: I don't know how to answer it.
B: I think you are quite right, but it is a matter of some consequence because otherwise one gets into a habit of thinking that the important thing is to say something to the patient. But you were there and you saw her. I am therefore interested to know why you thought it important to tell her what you did. However, let's leave it aside and see what happened.
P: She smiled and said, “Yes, it has been difficult to come. It isn't agreeable here, and it's boring.”
B: She doesn't have to come, so what is the problem? If that is all that is troubling her, she only has to stay away and do something else.