Citation

Ralph I. J. Child Psychother. 2001; 27(3): 285.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00754170110087568

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper examines the development of a therapeutic relationship with a sexually abused latency girl who, in the course of her two years of four times weekly psychotherapy, was placed in two different foster-homes. It is argued that the child's re-enactment of the abuse in the consulting room allowed her to move from a seductive relationship with the therapist to one characterized by basic trust. This was paralleled by her development of a capacity to think and to tolerate affect states. The use of an imaginary twin by the child and the use of powerful countertransference feelings in the therapist are seen as the main therapeutic tools in the treatment. The premature termination of the treatment - due to the therapist's departure - enabled the child to articulate for the first time her feelings, in the transference, about the trauma and the traumatizing agent. The child's progressing moves in the therapy are also presented.

Keywords: Enactment; Countertransference; Foster; Carers; Premature; Termination; Imaginary; Twin