ABSTRACT
This week, George, a 55-year high-tech director, completed a year of psychotherapy with me. He was handicapped after suffering from a CVA (cardiovascular accident) a year and a half previously. We were in the process of terminating therapy, which provided me with the perspective of considering his gains and mine. George’s left arm and leg had improved, and although his speech was still very deficient, he told me that he felt less dependent on others. During the course of our meetings, almost without words, he explained to me that I helped him to regain control over his life. It was only when we spoke in simple terms about his prognosis that he understood the essence of his state. This made it possible for him to internalize his predicament, emotionally come to terms with his loss and then move on the road to acceptance and resignation. In George’s case, talking, although limited, was still the medium of choice, very different from Barry, another patient I treated a few months back.
