Perception of the Unconscious
How can unconscious processes be perceived and recognised? Firstly, a state of presence and agenda-free, non-selective perception (<b>Präsenz</b> und absichtslosem <b>Gewahrsein</b>) is required. The non-selective perception directs itself not only on the focus of the conversation (content, prominent moments, emotions etc), but also on the small scenes around the edges, on the waves at the periphery, on the subtle changes in atmosphere in the room, on the form of greeting, and the saying goodbye. These peripheral areas allow transitions, interruptions, upheavals, changes of facial expression, small alterations in posture, peculiar changes in contact, little moments of withdrawal, breaking of eye contact, nervous skipping of actions etc. to become visible, as long as the counsellor is not absorbed by the focus of the conversation. It requires a lot of practice to make the transition between being in close contact and the perhaps rather distant seeming state of non-selective perception of the whole event.