Full access

Case Report

Published Online: 2000, pp. 1–137

The Use of the Psychodynamic Life Narrative in Crisis Supervision

Rodney Slonim, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., and Brian Hodges, M.D., F.R.C.P.C.Authors Info & Affiliations

Publication: American Journal of Psychotherapy

Volume 54, Number 1

https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2000.54.1.67

PDF/EPUB

Abstract

The psychodynamic life narrative is a statement that is made to the patient that gives current emotional reaction meaning in the context of his life history, and shows it to he a logical and inevitable product of previous life experiences.

Because the patient in crisis characteristically presents feeling overwhelmed, confused and needy, there is a sense of urgency and helplessness which impacts on the resident therapist’s intervention. Common countertransference reactions which can result are assuming omnipotent control, a grandiose rescue fantasy or passivity.

The authors present a clinical vignette to illustrate the supervisory process and its vicissitudes in the use of the psychodynamic life narrative in supervision of crisis work. The early identification of the “rescuing” response led to the rapid formulation of the psychodynamic life narrative and a successful outcome.

Formats available

You can view the full content in the following formats:

View PDF/ePub

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

American Journal of Psychotherapy

Volume 54 • Number 1 • 2000, pp. 1–137

Pages: 67 - 74

PubMed: 10822780

History

Published in print: 2000, pp. 1–137

Published online: 30 April 2018

Authors

Details

Rodney Slonim, M.D., F.R.C.P.C.

Head, Ambulatory Psychiatric Services, Joint General Psychiatric Program of Center of Addiction and mental Health and Mount Sinai Hospital; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto.

View all articles by this author

Brian Hodges, M.D., F.R.C.P.C.^**

View all articles by this author

Notes

Mailing address: Department of Psychiatry—931, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON M5G1X5.

^**

Assistant Professor, Vice-Chair (Education); Director of Undergraduate Education; Director of the Psychiatric Outreach Program; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto.

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format	RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks
Direct importt
Citation style
Style

Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

View Options

View options

PDF/ePub

View PDF/ePub

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Purchase Options

Purchase this article to access the full text.

PPV Articles - APT - American Journal of Psychotherapy

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR^® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

The Use of the Psychodynamic Life Narrative in Crisis Supervision

Abstract

Formats available