Presenter: |
Judith Aronson, LCSW, BCD |
Chair: |
Hazel R. Ipp, PhD |
Discussant: |
Caryle Perlman, MSW |
Self Psychology Page | 20th Conference Program
Summary
This case presentation examines the treatment of a gay man who, as an adolescent, had a history as a perpetrator of pedophilic behavior. For this man, pedophilic fantasies and behavior served self-cohesive functions. He struggled with issues of shame which paralyzed him in every area of his life. Through understanding the source of the shame, which is the longing for a successful self-object experience, the treatment has enabled the patient to acknowledge his aberrant behavior, have a positive relational experience (with the therapist); and recognize that his behavior has an impact of others. The therapist's ability to tolerate his expression of intense longing, his sexualized behavior and lack of punitive judgement allowed the patient to tolerate himself, his longings for a self-object relationship, and develop a more functional defensive structure. The therapeutic work has helped the patient develop alternatives to sexualization as a means for self-cohesion. Shame is no longer the same impediment that it was prior to entering treatment.