Do cry for me Argentina! The challenges trauma work poses for holistic psychotherapy

Abstract

Trauma work poses great challenges to the therapist who wishes to work holistically. As post-traumatic clients respond with splitting, the therapist is called to help the client create bridges between the dissociated aspects of themselves. But trauma creates splits and dissociation not only inside the sufferer, but also between the sufferer and the world around him – including the therapeutic relationship. This paper examines the challenges of doing holistic trauma work. It further explores relational perspectives as potentially relevant for body-oriented psychotherapy. In particular, it suggests that the psychotherapist becomes part of the affective system, allowing the trauma to go through her and grieving its impact – surviving herself and the client.

Keywords:

• trauma
• holistic
• relational
• dissociation
• depressive

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Erratum

Notes

Notes

1. This is different from the ego-centred feeling of healthy narcissism, although the sense of purpose is inevitably intertwined with this.

2. Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing.

3. Kindle edition, locations 1262–1273.