ABSTRACT
Based on an extended case study of Eigen’s patient Eva, this commentary draws on lessons from difficult aspects of therapy relationships. One of these involves intimate feelings aroused during emotional moments of encounter in therapy sessions. Maintaining a steady and consistent therapy frame is addressed, and benefits of the therapist linking up with his or her emotional self and remaining honest but not indulgent in such instances are also discussed. Another aspect of this commentary involves enactments between therapist and patient, which can be viewed as either dangerous obstacles or opportunities for exercising resilience while working through difficulties. On handling intense sexual transference, the author makes a distinction between rigid, aloof, or punitive containment of wishes and impulses, and respectful containment that acknowledges desires but does not act on them. This attitude or frame involves both acceptance and openness, combined with safety of good boundaries. Eigen also offers thoughts on how he sees change occurring in therapy.
