ABSTRACT
This chapter considers some of the potentially profound aspects of a change in the temporal framework of sessions in analysis and psychotherapy. It explores interventions that many analysts make, sometimes feel that they are “forced” to make, and assess any risks and potential benefits. Requests to change times of session, however, whether on the part of the analyst or patient and whether on a one-off basis or permanent, inherently face many transference-countertransference difficulties. Varying the length of sessions needs first to be set against the cultural context in which the analyst works. Interruptions in sessions because of the analyst’s pregnancy have been reported as having a productive effect in enabling the patient to work through related difficulties. Respecting the patient’s judgment about their needs and requests to vary the frequency of sessions is sometimes thought to be paramount.
