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Hunting for big game: Person-centered psychotherapy for a psychopathiform male

ARTICLEVerkade, Marion & Baljon, Marijke - 48–2 (2010)

SUMMARY

Insight therapy for heavily traumatized, psychopathiform patients is controversial. However, in the case described in this article, the decision to still use this form of therapy was based on the apparent and authentic wish for change that was present in the patient, next to the acted out offender aspects. The therapist’s attitude emanated from the client-centered, experiential core conditions, paying extensive attention to discussing the interaction in the here-and-now. Change proved possible within a true and deep therapeutic relation. Within this relation, the trauma-induced configurations in the self could be charted. Interaction between these configurations was stimulated, and integration promoted. Treating the trauma was an intricate part of this process. This all became possible because the psychotherapist was sufficiently supported by her professional environment.

KEYWORDS

person-centered traumatherapy, psychopathic disorder, relational depth

The tPeP (Journal Person-centered experiential Psychotherapy) is the scientific journal for Dutch and Flemish psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, that work from, or are interested in a client-centered perspective.