ACTIVITY NONACTIVITY AND THE GROUP THERAPIST - DONT JUST DO SOMETHING, SIT THERE/

The abstinent stance of psychoanalytically-oriented clinicians is ofte n confused with passivity or coldness toward the patient or the group. Given the current move toward more active, shorter-term treatment, th is paper offers a reaffirmation of the value of the abstinent analytic stance. The theoretical rationale for the technique is reviewed, and some specific arguments are made to illustrate the continuing importan ce of the method in the treatment of patients in psychodynamic group p sychotherapy.