avuncular adj. characteristic of an uncle or aunt, especially in benevolence or tolerance.
when i teach psychotherapy, in seminar or in individual supervision, i often start by recommending that the
young therapist speak naturally, with amiable curiosity - as if he or she were speaking to a good friend over lunch. the main difference between my attitude at lunch and my attitude in the office is that at lunch i eventually say, “ok, my turn,” whereas in therapy i don’t expect a turn. i answer questions – not all questions, because some things feel too private with a patient just as some things feel too private with a friend. I offer anecdotes to commiserate or to illustrate a point; but i don’t insist on my turn.
