ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of 5-year-old Dan. Throughout his therapy Dan “acted out” rather than “thought about” the intolerably painful feelings in his mind, and it was only in the very last few sessions that he felt contained enough to begin to allow space for reflection. It is possible that most of the time the primitive part of Dan’s brain was aroused, which meant he had less ability to think or use symbols. Dan’s experience of having an absent father further contributed to Dan’s problems. The sword made him feel big and male, and when he had it he felt safe to express his anger. In Dan’s case the father may have been too absent, or perhaps Dan was identifying with a violent, sadistic father. Dan projected his experiences into the present by unconsciously moulding situations to communicate what had gone on in his life.
