ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of a boy named "Stan", who used numbers as a defence against feelings. Stan’s experiences of violent abuse significantly affected his development, emotionally, physically, and cognitively. However, despite the overall importance of such a traumatic experience, the core aspect of his difficulties seemed to arise from the basic uncertainties and anxieties associated with his relationship with his mother. As the references to violence and hurt in his play receded, Stan’s confused and angry feelings became more directly evident in the transference and in his actions in the sessions. The therapeutic processes, involving containment, transference, and reflecting back understanding of Stan’s direct and indirect expression of his feelings in a way that had meaning for him, clearly began a process of change that liberated Stan’s developmental and creative potential and enabled him to become engaged in learning.
