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Making the Alliance and Taking the Transference in Work With Suicidal Patients

Received January 23, 2001; revised June 16, 2001; accepted July 3, 2001. From the Erikson Institute for Education and Research of the Austen Riggs Center, P.O. Box 962, Stockbridge, MA 01262. Address correspondence to Dr. Plakun. E-mail: eric.plakun{at}austenriggs.net

This article focuses on two components of psychodynamic psychotherapy with suicidal patients. First, the value and importance of establishing and maintaining a clearly defined therapeutic alliance is noted and explored. A carefully negotiated alliance can become an edge or boundary across which the survival of the therapy, as well as the patient, can be negotiated. Attention to the vicissitudes of the alliance is hypothesized to be the central initial therapeutic action with suicidal patients. Second, the author explores the importance of "taking" rather than "refusing" the transferences offered by the suicidal patient, particularly negative and erotic transferences. Case examples are offered as illustrations.

Key Words: Suicide • Transference • Therapeutic Alliance

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Hendin, A. P. Haas, J. T. Maltsberger, B. Koestner, and K. Szanto Problems in Psychotherapy With Suicidal Patients Am J Psychiatry, January 1, 2006; 163(1): 67 - 72. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]