Main description:

The Dying Patient in Psychotherapy is a powerful account of love and death within a psychotherapeutic relationship. The narrative traces one man's journey in psychotherapy and that of the analyst who accompanies him.

The full-length description of an analysis demonstrates the developmental path of an erotic transference from its origins in infancy, through fantasies of sex and violence to mature erotic intimacy. The countertransference is considered with exceptional honesty as the analysis intensifies following the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness. A series of dreams rich in symbolic imagery traces the psychological situation as death approaches. A precursor to Schaverien's acclaimed book Boarding School Syndrome, the single case study demonstrates the enduring impact of early boarding. This second edition also includes an updated literature review, and new material regarding training and supervision, making it a valuable resource for training institutions.

The Dying Patient in Psychotherapy will be essential reading for psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, counsellors, arts therapists and all professionals working with the dying. The poignant story will also engage the general reader, curious about the process of psychotherapy.

Contents:

Part 1: 1. Psychotherapy with the Dying Patient 2. Intimacy Revealed: Establishing a Therapeutic Relationship 3.The House and Boarding School: Intimacy and Exile Part 2: 4. Dreams 5. Dreams and Diagnosis 6. Dreams and the Erotic Transference 7. The Erotic Transference and Countertransference 8. Sexual Attractions and Erotic Violence: Men Who Leave Too Soon Revisited 9. The Inner-World Parents: The Paternal Function and the Maternal Realm 10. Talking about Love, Sex and Death Part 3: 11. Boundaries and the Bereavement of Dying 12. Envy, Contamination and Countertransference 13. The Link Between Psychotherapy and Cancer 14. The Problems of Ending When the End is Death Part 4: 15. Breakdown, Boundaries and Hospital 16. The Hospice and Medication 17. Home 18. Supervision, Training and Countertransference Bereavement: Research Questions