ABSTRACT
The analytic attitude can be compared to a “baseline” which is consistently present within an otherwise changeable process. It is a stable element of the therapy relation, something that remains the same at all times. The analytic attitude may be seen from two sides. The first refers to a theory-based way of relating, with certain both cognitive and emotional characteristics. The second refers to the therapist’s personal appearance, the manner of being emotionally present within the psychoanalytic space. In a psychoanalytic context, the idea of what constitutes help, how help is communicated, and what the help aims at is fundamentally different from a conventional view: “For the analyst, analysing is not an alternative to being helpful, it is the analytic way of being helpful.” Strategic thinking does not take place as conscious considerations, a strategic perspective will always form a part of the analytic attitude, and will add a quality of meaning and emotional connection to the analytic attitude.
