Silence as a spontaneous occurrence and as an intervention in psychotherapy: A preliminary study

Abstract

The aim of this preliminary study was to identify the characteristics of silence as both a spontaneous phenomenon and a psychotherapeutic intervention, the therapist’s experience of silence, the purposes for which silence is used as an intervention, and the factors that influence its use. A qualitative study was conducted using a focus group consisting of six participants, who derived from the psychoanalytic, systemic, gestalt and integrative psychotherapeutic approach. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the defining features of silence as an intervention are its intentional use and goal orientation, whereas silence as a spontaneous phenomenon arises from moments of encounter between therapist and client. Therapists perceive silence as a form of communication and as an intersubjective construct. Depending on its quality and duration, silence can evoke both pleasant and unpleasant emotional experiences. Drawing from their clinical experience, therapists are able to distinguish between different types of silence. The purposes of using silence are directed toward the client, the therapist, and the interpersonal space between them, while carefully considering contraindications for its use. Four main categories of factors were identified as influencing the use of silence as a therapeutic intervention: therapist-related factors, client-related factors, the therapeutic relationship, and the therapeutic process. Despite the small sample, which does not allow any generalisations of results, the conclusions of the study indicated the importance of addressing silence in psychotherapy beyond the conceptual boundaries of specific therapeutic approaches.