KAREN HORNEY TELLS WHAT FREE ASSOCIATION IS. BRACE YOURSELF–FREE ASSOCIATION TAKES GUTS!!

Study  Notes: 2008-07-14karen horneytells freeassociat_planetext.rtf KAREN HORNEY TELLS WHAT FREE ASSOCIATION IS.  #BRACE YOURSELF–FREE ASSOCIATION TAKES GUTS!! Yet here is the tool you need, if you are to go beyond simple cognitive problem analysis, and to launch a study of your own unconscious. This tool cannot be mastered overnight, think of it as learning to drive a car. With various bumps and traffic loads that shift unexpectedly, just when you were getting comfortable with the process. “..To associate freely means an endeavor on the part of the patient to ex-  press without reserve, and in the sequence in which it  emerges, everything that comes into his mind, regardless  of whether it is or appears trivial, off the point, incoher-  ent, irrational, indiscreet, tactless, embarrassing, humili-  ating. It may not be unnecessary to add that “everything”  is meant literally. It includes not only fleeting and diffuse  thoughts but also specific ideas and ‘memories-inci-  dents that have occurred since the last interview, mem-  ories of experiences at any period of life, thoughts about  self and others, reactions to the analyst or the analytical  situation, beliefs in regard to religion, morals, politics,  art, wishes and plans for the future, fantasies past and  present, and, of course, dreams. lt is particularly impor-  tant that the patient express every feeling that emerges,  such as fondness, hope, triumph, discouragement, re-  lief, suspicion, anger, as well as every diffuse or spe-  cihc thought. Of course the patient will have objections  to voicing certain things, for one reason or another, but  he should express these objections instead of using them  to withhold the particular thought or feeling.  Free association differs from our customary way of  thinking or talking not only in its frankness and unre-  servedness, but also in its apparent lack of direction.”