ABSTRACT
The word is the key means of expression in the therapeutic dialogue, though the listening register of the therapist has been expanded. On the contrary, if the therapist experiences being in a position of being the one to “pull the load”, there is reason to believe that she has been unconsciously manoeuvred into an attitude of excessive provision as an answer to an underlying passively demanding attitude on the part of the patient. Metaphorically speaking, the therapist is not on the court, she is rather placed on the side-line and needs not invest energy into keeping the game going. This, however, does not mean that the therapist is emotionally withdrawn. The liberated mode of listening is a method which enables the therapist to grasp the singularity of the patient both with regard to her experience and her psychological functioning. The driving force in the therapeutic process stems from motives and conflict structures in the patient.
