Witnessing and passing. Discussion of Prince's "The self in pain: the paradox of memory. The paradox of testimony".
The author indicates that she has two voices. One voice speaks to the patient's loneliness and detachment and her expectation to not be seen, believed, or acknowledged. This voice, housing the knowledge that events that remain unprocessed continue to have an impact, wants Dr. Prince to risk intrusion and preemption. This voice believes that it is worth it. The author's other voice considers bottomless wounds and speaks to the patient's need to build up healthy aspects of personality that is necessary to do the holocaust work. This voice holds that this is not the time for Dr. Prince to witness what happened to the patient, what the perpetrators of massive crimes did to her or what the onlookers saw and chose not to do. This voice says that the patients lead should be followed. The author elaborates on her two voices and indicates what she would have done had she been working with the patient.
Alpert
Judith L
JL
Department of Applied Psychology, Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, New York University, NY, USA.
D005260:Female; D017767:Holocaust / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D047789:World War II