Citation

Frei M, Michel K, Valach L. Forum der Psychoanalyse 2013; 29(2): 181-200.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013)

DOI

10.1007/s00451-013-0137-0

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Starting from the analysis of a seemingly irritating intervention of the therapist in the first encounter with a patient after an attempted suicide, the authors examine the question of the humorousness of this intervention and of the significance of such a potentially risky intervention for the development of the relationship. On the basis of the conversation-analytical examination of this particular episode, the article concerns itself with the conceptual relationship between the humorous attitude of Freud and the modern technical concept of giving credit. The concept of giving credit refers to a development-encouraging therapeutic attitude based on a benevolent but demanding attitude towards the patient. Humor in therapy may be seen as the manifestation of such a benevolent but demanding stance towards the patient as it offers the patient an alternative positioning of himself. The impertinent aspect of humor may be seen as a playful therapeutic invitation to try a different self-state. Theoretical and technical considerations on the relationship of the concept of giving credit and the classic concept of the humorous attitude are discussed. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

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