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Technical
IVT
analytic listening
The analyst's method of attending to multiple levels of meaning including manifest content, latent themes, and transferential communications.
Full Definition
Analytic listening is a specialized form of attention that involves simultaneously tracking multiple dimensions of the patient's communications. This includes listening to manifest content, underlying themes, emotional undertones, transferential meanings, and what is not being said. The analyst listens with evenly suspended attention while monitoring their own countertransference responses as additional sources of information about the patient's unconscious communications.
Usage
Usage note: Different from general therapeutic listening skills; involves specific psychoanalytic techniques.
In Context
- "Analytic listening revealed the patient's description of weekend plans as an unconscious commentary on the analytic relationship." — Supervision discussion
- "Training in analytic listening requires developing tolerance for ambiguity and multiple meanings." — Training curriculum
Also known as
psychoanalytic listening
Contrasted with
supportive listening
advice-oriented listening
Don't confuse with
evenly suspended attention
active listening