ABSTRACT
Some ex-boarders access therapy after a major crisis in their lives, while many do not see their boarding experience as centrally problematical. As therapy progresses, the therapist may begin to notice more emotional absence in the client. Nevertheless, the client says that therapy is helpful, even when to the therapist there is no obvious sign of this. Among the signs and symptoms that therapists need to be aware of when working with ex-boarders are an extreme inability to feel and express emotion and a compulsion to be in task mode. Jacqueline was in her late thirties when she started seeing a therapist. Jacqueline's life seemed to be disappearing down the black hole of Mark's chaotic family. Sometimes the issue of boarding is avoided because the therapist is unaware of the profound impact that boarding can have. Alternatively, some therapists may be reluctant to explore these issues with their clients.
