Every minute counts in psychotherapy, and not just in the literal sense. A patient's relationship with the time boundary—their arrival, departure, or even their precise punctuality—serves as a compelling and immediate reflection of their internal world and their relational dynamics. From a psychoanalytic perspective, time is not merely a backdrop but an active participant, illuminating how past experiences continue to shape the present moment (Kegerreis, 2013). This seemingly simple aspect of therapy offers profound insights into a patient's psychological landscape.
The fundamental human achievement of establishing a continuous sense of self across time is often challenged during development. Embracing the reality of time, with its inherent limitations and the reality of separation and loss, is a key developmental milestone. For some, a chronic struggle with punctuality isn't merely a habit; it can be a deeply ingrained defence against acknowledging uncomfortable truths. This resistance might stem from an unconscious desire to deny the inevitable march of time, a denial often linked to anxieties surrounding mortality and control (Kegerreis, 2013).
Beyond its psychological significance, time also functions as a vital resource and "currency" in our lives, shaping our interactions and reflecting our personal sense of self-worth (Fenichel, 1945). He puts forward that the way we relate to time is intimately bound up with our relationship with our own resources as well as in our relationship with others. In the therapeutic setting, the concept of time often transcends its literal meaning, becoming a powerful metaphor for deeper psychological dynamics. As Lewin (1950) suggested, adhering to time can metaphorically represent an individual's engagement with the demands of authority, much like a child adapting to a father's expectations. From this perspective, lateness or a disregard for time boundaries can express underlying aggression or resistance towards authority figures. Meissner (2006) further elaborates on this, highlighting how the negotiation of session start times can become a subtle yet profound communication about dominance, submission, and control within the therapeutic relationship. While the therapist sets the end time, the client's management of the beginning of a session offers a revealing window into their power dynamics and relational patterns.
Ultimately, time in therapy is far more than a practical constraint; it's a dynamic element ripe for therapeutic exploration. It can represent the demands of reality, authority figures, or even a battleground for issues of dominance and submission. The subtle yet potent ways in which a patient initiates or concludes a session often speak volumes about their underlying power dynamics and their readiness to engage with the realities of their lives. By paying close attention to these temporal expressions, therapists gain invaluable insights, helping patients move towards a more integrated and reality-oriented existence.
Have you ever noticed your relationship with time—arriving early, late, or right on the dot? In therapy, every minute carries meaning. If you're curious about how your experience of time may reflect deeper emotional patterns or past wounds, I offer 1:1 sessions to gently explore these themes and more. If this resonates, send me a message to get started.
#TherapyProcess #Psychotherapy #TimeBoundaries #TherapyProcess #Psychoanalysis #MentalHealthAwareness #TherapeuticRelationship #EmotionalInsight #SelfAwareness #LateToTherapy #InnerWorld #lateness #latenessintherapy #psychologistinsummerstrand #psychologistinPortElizabeth #psychologistinPE
