Therapeutic Withdrawal and Painful Memories: Part 4 of a 5-Part Case Study of the Psychotherapy of the Schizoid Process

Abstract

This article describes the relational qualities of the psychotherapist that are necessary to facilitate a supported therapeutic withdrawal for a middle-age man who relied on disengaging from relationships as a way to manage both internal criticism and involvement with people. The relational methods that supported therapeutic withdrawal provided the stimulus for the integration of early childhood memories.