ABSTRACT
The microanalysis of content is especially effective in marital, family, or group therapy—settings in which the social impact of a patient’s word cages may be more clearly discernible and pointed out to the patient and recipients as they occur. From the communication analytic perspective, the patient uses content in the therapeutic hour both to seek new satisfactions or relief from pain and, at the same time, to avoid the vulnerabilities inherent in risking changes. Many approaches to psychotherapy maintain that memories of the past are of great significance. Other models place more emphasis upon discussion of more immediate, real problems. The therapist has many options available when he spots the word cages. Recall of childhood events has a very special place in therapy. Essentially, the patient uses the medium of childhood experience to scan the therapist for emotional response without having to take responsibility for feelings.
