Wayne: The Emptiness of the Unloved Child

Authors

  • Richard G. Erskine, PhD

Keywords:

Unloved child, integrative psychotherapy, relational psychotherapy, child abuse, child neglect, in-depth psychotherapy, case presentation

Abstract

This article describes the in-depth psychotherapy of a client who was an unloved child. His presenting problems were alcoholism and a nagging sense of emptiness. Through a developmentally based, relationally focused integrative psychotherapy, and with the assistance of AA, the client was able to stop using alcohol, remember his experiences of neglect and abuse, express his internalized anger, and establish a sense of contentment with himself.

Author Biography

  • Richard G. Erskine, PhD

    Richard G. Erskine, PhD is a licensed psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist. He is the author of several books and articles on the theory and methods of integrative psychotherapy.

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Published

2025-03-26

Issue

Section

Articles