Silence as a Technical Parameter in Psycho-Analysis

The primary purpose of this paper was to elucidate the meaning of silence when used as a technical parameter in analysis. A brief overview, in terms of the different periods of psycho-analytic theory and technical development of the relevant research and the emergence of new conceptions of silence was made. This was followed by the presentation of case material highlighting such aspects as basic role and precipitating conditions, criteria for introduction, vicissitudes encountered and the ultimate resolution, when silence as a fundamental modification (parameter) in treatment was introduced. Implications stemming from the findings suggested that "parameterized silence" was a valid procedure to be used under certain carefully specified conditions as a kind of "lend-lease" arrangement with the patient—thereby allowing a temporary by-passing of seemingly insurmountable resistance—and thus enabling her to recoup and integrate her psychic forces for the main efforts later on in the analysis. It was concluded, among other things, that analytic silence when used in this fashion may greatly assist the analyst in deepening his understanding, both technically and theoretically, of the nature and intricacies of the basic psycho-analytic model; that its proper handling could well be a crucial nexus in enhancing the therapeutic alliance; and that certain tentative criteria for introducing silence as a parameter could be stated.