2025

SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM, MITPP: OPEN HOUSE & CLINICAL PRESENTATION, OPEN TO THOSE CONSIDERING POSTGRADUATE TRAINING, THE SILENT PATIENT AND THE USE OF SILENCE IN PSYCHOANALYTIC THERAPY.
This presentation will explore silence in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and demonstrate how silence can be used: as defense, as connection, and/or as withdrawal. During a therapy session, periods of silence can arise as the patient articulates thoughts and feelings. These periods of quiet hold as much significance as the patient's spoken words. Silence may represent a moment of reflection, often prompted by the therapist’s inquiry into the patient's thoughts. At other times, it may follow an observation from the therapist. A brief pause followed by agreement may suggest that the patient concurs with the analyst's statement, while a prolonged silence may indicate disagreement. Occasionally, silence is accompanied by visible tension or distress in the patient, suggesting an internal struggle to articulate thoughts. Silence can be seen as a valuable source of insight into the patient's internal conflicts, not only as resistance to be overcome. It can reveal information about the patient’s transference. The therapist’s silence will also be explored. It can trigger the patient's unconscious fantasies, bring up past experiences where silence held particular significance, and can also reveal countertransference. Clinical illustrations will be offered.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will: 1) Understand different forms and functions of silence in a psychotherapeutic setting,
2)Become more aware of the emergence of silence between patient and therapist, and the role of the therapist in silence, and
3) Be able to evaluate the role of both the therapist and the patient’s silence in the therapeutic process.

PRESENTER: VERDA TUZER, MD, LP Certificate in Adult Psychoanalysis, Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. Advanced Candidate, Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis, Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. Faculty: Metropolitan Institute for Training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Adult and Child and Adolescent Programs. Supervisor: Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, Adult Program. Associate Member: Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. Member: International Psychoanalytical Association.

LOCATION: ONLINE VIA ZOOM - Zoom instructions and meeting link will be emailed to participants prior to the event.

RSVP: There is no fee but you must reserve in advance. For reservations: please email info@mitpp.org.