NCJ Number
228731
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 14 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2009 Pages: 423-432
Date Published
October 2009
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper presents the existential concept of the Person One Could Have Become (POCHB) and specifically the phenomenon of mourning the POCHB, an existential transition in psychotherapy for abused or neglected clients.
Abstract
The POCHB is conceptualized as personality and physical characteristics which could have emerged, if an individual at the right time had received an appropriate quantity and quality of nurturing and developmental stimuli, which would have enabled the person to make more mature and independent choices. Mourning the POCHB is an existential transition for traumatized individuals. This process is part of the group therapy. The mourning of POCHB is not much different from other mournings. The role of the therapist in facilitating the process of mourning the POCHB is best defined by collaborative therapeutic alliance, as well as empathic understanding, non-possessive warmth, positive regard, and congruence. The mourning of the POCHB, which is frequently a life-long process, seems to be an essential step in the existential transition for psychotherapy clients who have experienced abuse or neglect, facilitating the reintegration of their personality. References