ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case studies of the Healing the Self model used in therapy settings. The psychotherapy examples include Sam, a teenager struggling with low self-esteem; Johnny, an angry high schooler; and Mario, a student suffering from suicidal ideation. Each case highlights the Healing the Self relational ingredients of idealization, empathy, and belonging. These three therapy cases are included only to demonstrate how Healing the Self can be used by a trained therapist in a highly structured way. Aggression is an attempt to heal self-esteem, which becomes threatened when children feel misunderstood. Validating developmental milestones is a hallmark of empathy and imperative for strengthening a sense of self. Relationships are the mechanism that enables a child to grow self-esteem. Self-esteem enables children to control feelings both pleasant and unpleasant.
