The use of the psychodynamic life narrative in crisis supervision

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 be a logical and inevitable product of previous life experiences. Because the patient in crisis characteristically present 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.