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The process of therapeutic change involving implicit knowledge: Some implications of developmental observations for adult psychotherapy
Author(s) -
Stern Daniel N.,
BruschweilerStern Nadia,
Harrison Alexandra M.,
LyonsRuth Karlen,
Morgan Alexander C.,
Nahum Jeremy P.,
Sander Louis,
Tronick Edward Z.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
infant mental health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1097-0355
pISSN - 0163-9641
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0355(199823)19:3<300::aid-imhj5>3.0.co;2-p
Subject(s) - terminology , psychology , element (criminal law) , process (computing) , cognitive psychology , therapeutic relationship , value (mathematics) , nonverbal communication , association (psychology) , key (lock) , individuation , developmental psychology , psychotherapist , computer science , linguistics , political science , law , philosophy , computer security , machine learning , operating system
Several aspects of developmental change that are dependent on interactions between parent and infant are examined for their value in casting light on the processes of change in adult psychotherapies. First, the domain of implicit knowledge (where changes necessarily occur in nonverbal infants) is identified. The vast majority of therapeutic change is found to occur in this domain. We then examine the improvised, largely unpredictable, nonlinear movements toward mutual goals that characterize the processes of parent–infant and therapist–patient interactions. Finally, we provide a microdescription of these processes and provide a terminology for the “moments” that make up their flow. Of particular importance is the “moment of meeting,” in which the participants interact in a way that creates a new implicit, intersubjective understanding of their relationship and permits a new “way‐of‐being‐with‐the‐other.” We view “moments of meeting” as the key element in bringing about change in implicit knowledge, just as interpretations are thought to be the key element in bringing about change in explicit knowledge. © 1998 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health