ABSTRACT
The opening gambit refers primarily to the client's interpersonal behaviours and patterns of behaviours, and the kinds of reactions these behaviours often bring from others. Complex trauma survivors frequently have emergencies. Complex trauma survivors are hyper-focused on relational indifference and rejection and a cold, distant, interpretive stance on the part of the therapist can be terrifying, and constantly stir up feelings of abandonment. Two major sets of feelings are created by a lengthy history of child abuse, pain, and rage. Most abused clients get to the point of understanding that they did not deserve the treatment they received, and their diminished shame and self-blame allow the anger to emerge. In other cases, clients are so isolated that the therapy becomes the entire focus of their existence. The reconnection phase of therapy involves the building or rebuilding of human relationships. The therapy is designed to be the paradigm for the "safe enough" relationship.
