Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Traumatic Memory

Traumatic Memory

Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual remembers mundane...

Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch

Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch

The history of therapeutic communication can be traced back to Florence Nightingale, who emphasized the importance of developing trusting relationships with patients. She taught that the presence of nurses with patients results in therapeutic healing.
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...

Flashbulb Memory

Flashbulb Memory

A flashbulb memory is a highly vivid and detailed memory, often linked to events of significant emotional impact. These memories stand out in contrast to everyday memories due to their clarity and the precision with which they are recalled. The strong emotions associated with the event act as a catalyst, ensuring that specific details, such as one's location, actions, and even peripheral elements, are etched into memory with remarkable accuracy. For example, many people can vividly recall where...

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapies emphasize the exploration of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences as fundamental contributors to psychological difficulties. These therapies, deeply rooted in Freud's psychoanalytic theory, aim to uncover and resolve unconscious conflicts, granting individuals insights that promote emotional and behavioral healing. Contemporary psychodynamic approaches have evolved, integrating a broader range of influences and methodologies while still valuing the...

Repressed Memory

Repressed Memory

Repressed memories are a psychological phenomenon where memories of traumatic events are unconsciously blocked from a person's awareness. This process occurs as a defense mechanism, protecting the mind from the emotional impact of distressing or painful experiences. For example, a person who has experienced childhood trauma may grow up with no conscious recollection of the event. In such cases, the memories are thought to be buried deep within the subconscious, inaccessible to the conscious...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Music beyond sounds and its magic in the clinical process.

American journal of psychoanalysis·2020

Same author

UNTOLD STORIES AND THE POWER OF SILENCE IN THE INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF SOCIAL TRAUMA.

American journal of psychoanalysis·2017

Same author

The beauty and the beast inside: the american beauty--does cosmetic surgery help?

The journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry·2010

Same author

Psychoanalysis and visual art: a female painter and her dilemma.

The Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis·2002

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder

Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder

Published on: March 8, 2018

Reflections: can the analyst share a traumatizing experience with a traumatized patient?

Ruth Lijtmaer¹

¹Center for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis of New Jersey, NJ, USA. ruth.lijtmaer@verizon.net

The Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry

|December 22, 2010

Summary

An analyst reflects on managing personal trauma alongside a patient's, exploring self-disclosure, professional continuity, and the significance of "home" in healing.

More Related Videos

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Published on: February 16, 2011

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder

Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder

Published on: March 8, 2018

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care

Published on: February 16, 2011

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

Area of Science:

Psychology
Psychoanalysis
Trauma Studies

Background:

A psychoanalyst recounts a personal traumatic event mirroring a patient's experience.
This account explores the intersection of personal and clinical trauma within the therapeutic setting.

Observation:

The analyst details her internal conflict regarding self-disclosure to the patient.
Challenges in maintaining professional work while processing personal and patient trauma are described.
The dynamics of transference and countertransference are examined in the context of shared traumatic experiences.

Findings:

The study highlights the critical role of persistent self-scrutiny in navigating complex therapeutic situations.
The analyst's personal struggles inform her understanding of the patient's trauma and therapeutic process.
The concept of "home" as a significant object and its meaning in healing from trauma is explored.

Implications:

Findings suggest that integrating personal experience can deepen therapeutic insight, but requires careful management of self-disclosure.
The study underscores the importance of understanding the symbolic meaning of objects, like "home," in trauma recovery.
This personal narrative offers valuable lessons for clinicians managing countertransference and maintaining professional boundaries during challenging cases.