Sacred Objects, Healing Prayer: The Use of Transitional Phenomena in a Client's Recovery from Incest

Abstract

Utilizing the lens of object relations theory, this case study explores how issues of spirituality have surfaced—and continue to surface—in the therapeutic work of a young male survivor of incest who, at critical points in the treatment, has utilized “sacred” transitional objects and ritual as ways of grounding the work. Drawing on the work of Donald Winnicott, the use of transitional phenomena is examined as a reflection of the client's ways of making meaning of his history of incest and his means of facilitating a greater degree of safety in the therapeutic process. The language of contemporary pastoral theology further nuances the discussion of the client's spiritual issues and the process of healing occurring in the therapeutic relationship.

KEYWORDS:

• incest
• spiritual issues
• transitional objects
• transitional phenomena
• object concept
• internalized object representation
• embedded theology
• deliberative theology