ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how the concept of resisting is mostly inconsistent with the way in which the analytic process has been conceptualized. It shows how the concept of resisting tends to precommit the analyst to an undesirable combative or adversarial view of the analytic relationship. The chapter suggests that the affirmative approach does not, as it should not, require the analyst to deny the analysand’s combative view of the relationship. Resisting is conceptually problematic in that it is defined from the standpoint of consciously stated aims. Moving next to a conception of neutrality that is even closer to the topic of resisting, one may say that the position of neutrality or equidistance implies total repudiation of any adversarial conception of the analytic relationship. Alternatively, the analysand might resist the analysis of resisting by denying the occurrence of any noteworthy or analysis-worthy disruption.
