"Generative Caring" Psychotherapy for patients who are reluctant to talk

Patients seek psychotherapy for relief of symptoms and resolution of proble ms tit living. Yet, they sometimes balk at the prospect of having to choose a topic without being prompted by, therapist questions. This paper suggest s that this apparently self-sabotaging behavior represents an acting out of a fundamental existential dilemma for many individuals, i.e., to be or not to be an adult. Adulthood comes with the heavy burden of responsibility fo r making life choices, and the possibility of making the wrong choices. The psychotherapeutic situation, with ifs demand that the patient choose a top ic, is a microcosm of the adult-adult relationship. The author proposes tha t the proper treatment for these patients is Generative Caring Psychotherap y, which promotes emotional growth and facilitates patients' transition fro m childhood dependence to adult responsibility.