Psychoanalysis is Openness

The object of this article is to explore “openness” as a central important quality in psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic thinking. Openness is discussed here using what has been written by or about various psychoanalysts of varying theoretical backgrounds using specific concepts related to psychoanalysis across time beginning with Freud and ending with Bion. I then describe how I have experienced openness in my third analysis. I then note how my third analysis reflected more of a Bionian approach. I end the article with 3 vignettes of patients that attempt to show how openness subsequently shows itself in my own work with patients.