Speculations on Emergence

Speculations on Emergence

Working the Edge of Transformational Experience and Neuroplasticity

Diana Fosha

 

Published in The Neuropsychotherapist Issue #1

 

“The literature abounds with papers and discussions of resistance;
yet how little we study the vagaries of the force that is on the side of psychic healing, the impulse to grow, to surrender, to let-go”
(Ghent, 1990).

I almost feel selfish,” is what she said. Clara is a woman in her 60s, plagued by a lifelong sense of shame and unworthiness.

To the outside world, she is impressive and accomplished; yet inside, she knows that what she has accomplished nowhere near taps her potential. And this is not only devaluation at work—it is the truth. It is creative and mystical pursuits, areas which Clara has studied and delved into, that deeply move her and engage her creativity. It is in these areas that Clara’s heart and soul—and self, I would add—resonate. Her achievements have been in the academic mainstream. Her hundreds of poems and thousands of pages on history and philosophy have never see the light of day. Few have read them and nothing has been published.

I will not go into the specifics of an early history of violence and mind-numbing neglect and isolation, as well as lifelong traumatic losses. Suffice it to say that she has significant “big T” and “small t” trauma.

For months in therapy, Clara made little eye contact. Left to her own devices, she spent her time talking about the needs and problems of her significant others; never herself. In recent weeks, however, a shift has been occurring.


The Neuropsychotherapist
Members Only content


MEMBERS: Be sure you are logged in to see your viewing options Members Login
Not a member?  Click on Subscription to find out more.


Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

%d bloggers like this: