a study case about transference.

In this first post of 2015, I want to approach a case that meant a lot to me. Both, because it was one of my earlier therapeutic works and because I learnt a lot from it. This particular case was from a six year old, her behavior in therapy was very intense and aggressive toward the therapist and the toys in the session. After the initial evaluation, it seems like a lot of repressed anger and emotional issues were taking their toll on the girl.  Some of the acting out made me create some kind of a barrier between us. The consultation motive, and my naivety worked to maintain a physical barrier enforced by me went the moment felt fit.

After a couple of sessions I realize that this dynamic was strenuous form me, was tiring to the point that I really didn’t want to go to the sessions.  This is when I decided to take the case to supervision. After I made the introduction, I talked a little bit about my approach to the therapy, and how this “believe” of mine was altering the process, and creating some uncomfortable  situations. My supervisor say something that sound so utterly brilliant and in that moment everything start to make more sense on everything. He suggested as follow: “You do more with what you are, that with what you know”. See, I hadn’t told you that I also have a son that was of that age back then, and because everything find it reasons, I was counter-transfering a lot of my frustration and distress on the situation the patience was going thru. When I abandon that position I was, and start been a model of a healthy and kind father figure, managing the transference the child was exhibiting all those sessions. I start to see movement toward a more accepted and healthy self. The subsequent sessions we had showed a remarkable speed on the improvement of the child points of views, acceptance, relationship models, and seems more emotionally stable.

In this instance, allowing me to handle the transference in a more humane way for both of us, procure an advancement from the impasse that, until that moment, we had come upon over and over. I must say, that seen me as a person with all the internal life and kinks, and accepting my roles without complain. Transfer this same values or insight (if you like) to the client.