Citation

Jackson E. J. Child Psychother. 2004; 30(1): 53.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/0075417042000205797

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this paper, I describe the first 2 years of intensive psychotherapy of a multiply traumatized 5-year-old girl. I explore some of the ways in which violent and traumatic experiences were re-lived in the therapy and how they impacted on both patient and therapist. Within the discussion and illustrated by clinical vignettes, I consider the importance of play, not only as a vehicle for symbolic communication or as a means of re-playing and re-working internal object relationships, but also as the arena in which new experiences can be forged into internal reality, often for the first time. I also hope to raise for further consideration questions about the complex and disturbing experiences, pressures and technical dilemmas that are frequently encountered in such work.

Keywords: Play; technique; adoption; resilience; hope; Jeu; technique; adoption; reacutesilience; espoir; gioco; tecnica; adozione; recupero; speranza