Freud’s Rule of Abstinence: Implications for Brief Therapy: A Case Report

Abstract

Abstinence was defined by Freud as the analyst’s abstinence in gratifying patients’ infantile needs. The writer noticed a controversy regarding abstinence among long-term therapists and that it has disappeared from the literature in short-term therapy. Both literature reviews are summarized. The writer wondered if abstinence has a place in brief therapy. His patient was a severely disturbed 23-year-old man with a history of being scolded and strictly controlled by his mother. A summary of the patient’s therapy sessions is provided, which was based on Luborsky’s Core Conflictual Relationship Theme approach for brief therapy. The therapy revealed that rather than feeling the expected deprivation, this patient felt gratified by the abstinence. The implications of this finding for long-term and brief therapy are discussed. The writer suggests that careful and flexible use of abstinence, even in brief therapy, is beneficial in exploring the patient’s need and ability to tolerate a caring relationship.