Indirect treatment of traumatic psychological experiences: the use of TAT cards.
An indirect therapeutic intervention using TAT cards in the treatment of a 13-year-old boy, who had accidentally killed a younger relative seven years ago, is described. Using a dialectical approach, the cotherapists presented contrasting TAT stories in an attempt to reflect the boy's inner conflicts, ambivalencies, and distorted perceptions. This approach provided the boy with alternate and more positive ways of perceiving and dealing with reality and enable him to relate to and cope with the taboo topic of the traumatic incident in a relatively short time. It is suggested that the use of this approach in highly sensitive situations, where considerable caution is warranted, should be explored with various age groups.
Hoffman
S
S
Community Mental Health Service, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Kuperman
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N
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D006708:Homicide / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013803:Thematic Apperception Test; D014342:Truth Disclosure