During psychotherapy, the therapist asks a patient to say whatever comes to his mind, in response to a word the therapist gave. Which technique is used by the therapist?

Appeared in: DSSSB October 2024

Explanation

The question describes the core principle of free association, a hallmark of psychoanalytic therapy.
In this technique, the patient is encouraged to verbalize thoughts, feelings, and images without any form of censorship or editing.
The therapist's prompt with a single word is a classic method to initiate this stream of consciousness.
The primary goal, as established by Sigmund Freud, is to uncover repressed material from the unconscious mind that may be the source of psychological distress.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: Hypnosis is an induced state of altered consciousness, not a method of spontaneous verbalization. Catharsis is the emotional release that can occur during therapy, not the technique used to prompt the patient.
Option B: Dream analysis focuses on interpreting the symbolic content of dreams that a patient recounts, not on their immediate, conscious thoughts in response to a word.
Option D: Abreaction therapy is a specific and intense technique focused on having the patient relive a past traumatic event to process the associated emotions. It is not a general instruction to say whatever comes to mind.

Related Visual

Illustrates the process of Free Association, beginning with the therapists prompt word, leading to the patients uncensored stream of thoughts, and culminating in the therapist...

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Psychoanalytic Therapeutic Techniques to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Understanding foundational psychotherapeutic techniques like free association is essential for mental health nurses to comprehend patient treatment plans and collaborate effectively with therapists and psychiatrists.
Nurses can support the therapeutic process by creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where patients feel comfortable expressing themselves, which aligns with the principles of free association.
What if the patient stops talking or says they have nothing on their mind? In psychoanalysis, this 'resistance' is not seen as a failure but as a significant clue. The therapist would explore the resistance itself, as it often points directly to the unconscious conflict the patient is avoiding.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key action described in the question stem: 'asks a patient to say whatever comes to his mind, in response to a word'.
This describes a process of uncensored, spontaneous speech initiated by a prompt.
Next, evaluate each option based on its definition in psychotherapy.
Hypnosis involves a trance, which is not mentioned.
Dream analysis involves dreams, not waking thoughts in response to a word.
Abreaction involves reliving trauma, which is more specific than the general instruction given.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Psychoanalytic Therapeutic Techniques
Stem keywords: psychotherapy, therapist, patient, say whatever comes to his mind, in response to a word
Lead-in keywords: Which technique
Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QDAUEM0bSbIcZHANep0LrD

Reference Book

E6 Guide to Mental Health & PSYCHIATRIC NURSING R Sreevani— Part 1 (pp 26-289 of 579) p. 147-149

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 8922-8924

E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 2 p. 281-283

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