89: Agieren. Wie unsere Handlungen unsere Geschichte erzählen

Summary

The video explores the concept of 'acting out' (agieren) in psychoanalysis, detailing how unconscious behaviors and resistance manifest in therapy. It highlights the emotional dynamics between therapist and patient, emphasizing the importance of recognizing these unconscious actions as they reflect deeper emotional conflicts. Through a case study, the script illustrates how agieren complicates therapy yet also provides crucial insight into unresolved trauma. Ultimately, the video stresses the therapeutic value of confronting these behaviors to foster understanding, emotional awareness, and healing in both therapy and everyday life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Agieren refers to unconscious actions in both therapy and daily life, where individuals act without fully understanding why or what drives them.
• 😀 The concept of 'Agieren' originated with Freud and describes how unconscious feelings often lead to actions that avoid confronting the underlying emotions.
• 😀 In therapy, Agieren can manifest when a therapist, feeling insecure, takes unnecessary actions like over-explaining or seeking to please the patient, instead of addressing internal feelings.
• 😀 A key example involves a young therapist who, anxious about a patient's dissatisfaction, becomes overly involved in trying to ‘fix’ the session, rather than addressing his own insecurities.
• 😀 Therapists are trained to recognize their own unconscious responses in order to prevent acting on them and to open a space for reflective thinking during therapy.
• 😀 Agieren can be both a conscious and unconscious form of resistance in therapy, used to avoid feelings that are difficult to experience, such as fear of rejection or anger.
• 😀 The script also delves into how Agieren can be a form of 'pro-thought' where actions or behaviors are used to express underlying feelings that are too difficult to verbalize.
• 😀 A therapeutic goal is not to eliminate these moments of Agieren but to bring them into awareness, where both patient and therapist can explore their meaning and impact.
• 😀 Projective identification occurs when a therapist unconsciously takes on the patient's feelings, leading to an emotional resonance that can block progress if not addressed.
• 😀 Ultimately, recognizing and processing moments of Agieren in therapy can help break the cycle of unconscious resistance and lead to deeper emotional understanding and healing.

Q & A

What does the concept of 'Agieren' in psychoanalysis refer to?

In psychoanalysis, 'Agieren' refers to actions or behaviors that are driven by unconscious forces, where the individual feels as though they are not fully in control of their own actions. These actions often arise from internal conflicts or emotional pressures, and the individual may not fully understand why they are acting in a certain way.

How does the script define the role of the therapist in recognizing their own emotional responses?

The script emphasizes that a therapist should be aware of their own emotional responses during therapy, such as feelings of anxiety or insecurity. Recognizing these feelings is important because it allows the therapist to reflect on their own emotional state and avoid being led by unconscious impulses that may influence their behavior towards the patient.

How does 'Agieren' manifest in the therapeutic relationship?

'Agieren' in therapy can be observed when the therapist unconsciously acts out their own unresolved issues, or when the patient projects their feelings onto the therapist. For example, a therapist may overcompensate by talking more than usual or giving unsolicited advice out of fear of the patient’s dissatisfaction, reflecting their own inner anxieties.

What is the difference between 'Agieren' within therapy and 'Agieren' outside of therapy?

'Agieren' within therapy refers to unconscious actions that take place during the therapeutic session, often related to the therapeutic framework, such as late arrivals or cancellations. 'Agieren' outside therapy involves behaviors that stem from unconscious emotional pressures, such as impulsive decisions in personal relationships or other areas of life.

How does the script describe the relationship between emotional pressure and 'Agieren'?

The script describes that when emotional pressures or difficult feelings become overwhelming and hard to bear, they can manifest in 'Agieren.' This action serves as an unconscious escape or release, allowing the person to avoid facing the emotions directly by channeling them into behaviors or external actions.

What is the significance of 'projective identification' in therapy?

Projective identification occurs when the therapist unconsciously absorbs the emotions or projections of the patient. This process can affect the therapist’s emotional state, causing them to experience the patient's feelings, such as anxiety or depression. It’s essential for the therapist to recognize and interpret these projections to better understand the patient’s unconscious processes.

What role does the concept of 'resignation' play in therapeutic processes?

Resignation in the therapeutic context refers to a feeling of helplessness or inability to change, often experienced by patients. It is typically linked to unresolved trauma or unmet needs from the past. The therapist's task is to help the patient confront and work through these feelings, rather than avoiding them through 'Agieren' or resistance.

Why is it important for therapists to address their own countertransference during therapy?

Addressing countertransference, the therapist’s emotional reactions to the patient, is crucial because these reactions can influence the therapeutic process. If a therapist is not aware of their countertransference, they might act in ways that are not helpful or even detrimental to the patient’s progress, such as unconsciously reinforcing the patient’s negative emotional patterns.

What is the relationship between 'Agieren' and the patient's historical trauma?

The script suggests that 'Agieren' is often a manifestation of unresolved historical trauma. Patients may unconsciously recreate scenarios from their past in the therapeutic relationship, where their actions reflect unresolved feelings of abandonment, inadequacy, or other deep emotional wounds. Therapy provides a space to explore these behaviors and understand their underlying emotional causes.

How does the concept of 'resonance' in therapy contribute to the healing process?

Resonance in therapy refers to the therapist’s ability to emotionally attune to the patient’s feelings and reflect them back with empathy and understanding. This process helps the patient feel heard and validated, allowing them to process difficult emotions in a safe environment. It contrasts with merely offering solutions or trying to alleviate discomfort quickly, which can often bypass the deeper emotional work needed for healing.