SELMA FRAIBERG , EDNA ADELSON , VIVIAN SHAPIRO

Ghosts in the Nursery: A Psychoanalytic Approach to the Problems of Impaired Infant-Mother Relationships
IN EVERY NURSERY there are ghosts. They are the !s!tors "ro# the $%re#e#&ere' (ast o" the (are%ts, the
$%!%!te' g$ests at the )hr!ste%!%g. U%'er "aora&*e )!r)$#sta%)es, these $%"r!e%'*y a%' $%&!''e% s(!r!ts are
&a%!she' "ro# the %$rsery a%' ret$r% to the!r s$&terra%ea% '+e**!%g (*a)e. The &a&y #a,es h!s o+% !#(erat!e )*a!#
$(o% (are%ta* *oe a%', !% str!)t a%a*ogy +!th the "a!ry ta*es, the &o%'s o" *oe (rote)t the )h!*' a%' h!s (are%ts
aga!%st the !%tr$'ers, the #a*eo*e%t ghosts.
Th!s !s %ot to say that ghosts )a%%ot !%e%t #!s)h!e" "ro# the!r &$r!a* (*a)es. Ee% a#o%g "a#!*!es +here the *oe
&o%'s are sta&*e a%' stro%g, the !%tr$'ers "ro# the (are%ta* (ast #ay &rea, thro$gh the #ag!) )!r)*e !% a% $%g$ar'e'
#o#e%t, a%' a (are%t a%' h!s )h!*' #ay "!%' the#se*es ree%a)t!%g a #o#e%t or a s)e%e "ro# a%other t!#e +!th
a%other set o" )hara)ters. S$)h ee%ts are $%re#ar,a&*e !% the "a#!*y theater, a%' %e!ther the )h!*' %or h!s (are%ts %or
the!r &o%' !s %e)essar!*y !#(er!*e' &y a &r!e" !%tr$s!o%. It !s %ot $s$a**y %e)essary "or the (are%ts to )a** $(o% $s "or
)*!%!)a* ser!)es.
I% st!** other "a#!*!es there #ay &e #ore tro$&*eso#e ee%ts !% the %$rsery )a$se' &y !%tr$'ers "ro# the (ast. There
are, !t a((ears, a %$#&er o" tra%s!e%t ghosts +ho ta,e $( res!'e%)e !% the %$rsery o% a se*e)t!e &as!s. They a((ear to
'o the!r #!s)h!e" a))or'!%g to a h!stor!)a* or to(!)a* age%'a, s(e)!a*!-!%g !% s$)h areas as "ee'!%g, s*ee(, to!*et
tra!%!%g or '!s)!(*!%e, 'e(e%'!%g $(o% the $*%era&!*!t!es o" the (are%ta* (ast. U%'er these )!r)$#sta%)es, ee% +he%
the &o%'s &et+ee% (are%ts a%' )h!*' are stro%g, the (are%ts #ay "ee* he*(*ess &e"ore the !%as!o% a%' #ay see,
(ro"ess!o%a* g$!'a%)e. I% o$r o+% +or,, +e hae "o$%' that these (are%ts +!** "or# a stro%g a**!a%)e +!th $s to
&a%!sh the !%tr$'ers "ro# the %$rsery. It !s %ot '!""!)$*t to "!%' the e'$)at!o%a* or thera(e$t!) #ea%s "or 'ea*!%g +!th
the tra%s!e%t !%a'ers.
B$t ho+ sha** +e e.(*a!% a%other gro$( o" "a#!*!es +ho a((ear to &e (ossesse' &y the!r ghosts/ The !%tr$'ers "ro#
the (ast hae ta,e% $( res!'e%)e !% the %$rsery, )*a!#!%g tra'!t!o% a%' r!ghts o" o+%ersh!(. They hae &ee% (rese%t at
the )hr!ste%!%g "or t+o or #ore ge%erat!o%s. 0h!*e %o o%e has !ss$e' a% !%!tat!o%, the ghosts ta,e $( res!'e%)e a%'
)o%'$)t the rehearsa* o" the "a#!*y trage'y "ro# a tattere' s)r!(t.
I% o$r !%"a%t #e%ta* hea*th (rogra# +e hae see% #a%y o" these "a#!*!es a%' the!r &a&!es. The &a&y !s a*rea'y !%
(er!* &y the t!#e +e #eet h!#, sho+!%g the ear*y s!g%s o" e#ot!o%a* starat!o%, or grae sy#(to#s, or
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'ee*o(#e%ta* !#(a!r#e%t. I% ea)h o" these )ases the &a&y has &e)o#e a s!*e%t a)tor !% a "a#!*y trage'y. The &a&y !%
these "a#!*!es !s &$r'e%e' &y the o((ress!e (ast o" h!s (are%ts "ro# the #o#e%t he e%ters the +or*'. The (are%t, !t
see#s, !s )o%'e#%e' to re(eat the trage'y o" h!s o+% )h!*'hoo' +!th h!s o+% &a&y !% terr!&*e a%' e.a)t!%g 'eta!*.
These (are%ts #ay %ot )o#e to $s "or (ro"ess!o%a* g$!'a%)e. Ghosts +ho hae esta&*!she' the!r res!'e%)e (r!!*eges
"or three or #ore ge%erat!o%s #ay %ot, !% "a)t, &e !'e%t!"!e' as re(rese%tat!es o" the (are%ta* (ast. There #ay &e %o
rea'!%ess o% the (art o" the (are%ts to "or# a% a**!a%)e +!th $s to (rote)t the &a&y. More *!,e*y !t !s +e, a%' %ot the
ghosts, +ho +!** a((ear as the !%tr$'ers.
Those o" $s +ho hae a (ro"ess!o%a* !%terest !% ghosts !% the %$rsery 'o %ot yet $%'ersta%' the )o#(*e.!t!es a%' the
(ara'o.es !% the ghost story. 0hat !s !t that 'eter#!%es +hether the )o%"*!)te' (ast o" the (are%t +!** &e re(eate' +!th
h!s )h!*'/ Is #or&!'!ty !% the (are%ta* h!story the (r!#e 'eter#!%a%t/ Th!s str!,es $s as too s!#(*e. 1erta!%*y +e a**
,%o+ "a#!*!es !% +h!)h a (are%ta* h!story o" trage'y, )r$e*ty, a%' sorro+ hae %ot &ee% !%"*!)te' $(o% the )h!*'re%.
The ghosts 'o %ot "*oo' the %$rsery or ero'e the *oe &o%'s.
The%, too, +e #$st re"*e)t that !" h!story (re'!)te' +!th "!'e*!ty, the h$#a% "a#!*y !tse*" +o$*' *o%g ago hae &ee%
'ro+%e' !% !ts o+% o((ress!e (ast. The ra)e !#(roes. A%' th!s #ay &e &e)a$se the *argest %$#&er o" #e% a%'
+o#e% +ho hae ,%o+% s$""er!%g "!%' re%e+a* a%' the hea*!%g o" )h!*'hoo' (a!% !% the e.(er!e%)e o" &r!%g!%g a
)h!*' !%to the +or*'. I% the s!#(*est ter#s2+e hae hear' !t o"te% "ro# (are%ts2the (are%t says, 3I +a%t so#eth!%g
&etter "or #y )h!*' tha% I hae ha'.3 A%' he &r!%gs so#eth!%g &etter to h!s )h!*'. 0e hae a** ,%o+% yo$%g (are%ts
+ho hae s$""ere' (oerty, &r$ta*!ty, 'eath, 'esert!o%, a%' so#et!#es the "$** ga#$t o" )h!*'hoo' horrors, +ho 'o
%ot !%"*!)t the!r (a!% $(o% the!r )h!*'re%. H!story !s %ot 'est!%y, the%, a%' +hether (are%thoo' &e)o#es "*oo'e' +!th
gr!e"s a%' !%4$r!es or +hether !t &e)o#es a t!#e o" re%e+a* )a%%ot &e (re'!)te' "ro# the %arrat!e o" the (are%ta*
(ast. There #$st &e other "a)tors !% the (sy)ho*og!)a* e.(er!e%)e o" that (ast +h!)h 'eter#!%e re(et!t!o% !% the
(rese%t.
I% thera(e$t!) +or, +!th "a#!*!es o% &eha*" o" the!r &a&!es +e are a** the &e%e"!)!ar!es o" Fre$'5s '!s)oer!es &e"ore
the 'a+% o" th!s )e%t$ry. The ghosts, +e ,%o+, re(rese%t the re(et!t!o% o" the (ast !% the (rese%t. 0e are a*so the
&e%e"!)!ar!es o" the #etho' Fre$' 'ee*o(e' "or re)oer!%g the ee%ts o" the (ast a%' $%'o!%g the #or&!' e""e)ts o"
the (ast !% the (rese%t. The &a&!es the#se*es, +ho are o"te% a""*!)te' &y the '!seases o" the (are%ta* (ast, hae &ee%
the *ast to &e the &e%e"!)!ar!es o" the great '!s)oer!es o" (sy)hoa%a*ys!s a%' 'ee*o(#e%ta* (sy)ho*ogy. These
(at!e%ts, +ho )a%%ot ta*,, hae ha' to a+a!t art!)$*ate s(o,es#e%.
D$r!%g the (ast three 'e)a'es a %$#&er o" (sy)hoa%a*ysts a%' 'ee*o(#e%ta* (sy)ho*og!sts hae &ee% s(ea,!%g "or
the &a&!es. 0hat the &a&!es hae &ee% te**!%g $s !s so&er!%g %e+s, !%'ee'. Th!s story yo$ a*rea'y ,%o+, a%' I +!**
%ot atte#(t to s$##ar!-e the ast *!terat$re that has e#erge' "ro# o$r st$'!es o" !%"a%)y.
I% o$r o+% +or, at the 1h!*' Dee*o(#e%t Pro4e)t +e hae &e)o#e +e** a)6$a!%te' +!th the ghosts !% the %$rsery.
The &r!e" !%tr$'ers, +h!)h +e hae 'es)r!&e', or the $%+e*)o#e ghosts +ho ta,e $( te#(orary res!'e%)e, 'o %ot
(rese%t e.traor'!%ary (ro&*e#s to the )*!%!)!a%. The (are%ts the#se*es &e)o#e o$r a**!es !% &a%!sh!%g the ghosts. It
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!s the th!r' gro$(, the ghosts +ho !%a'e the %$rsery a%' ta,e $( res!'e%)e, +ho (rese%t the graest thera(e$t!)
(ro&*e#s "or $s.
Ho+ !s !t that the ghosts o" the (are%ta* (ast )a% !%a'e the %$rsery +!th s$)h !%s!ste%)y a%' o+%ersh!(, )*a!#!%g
the!r r!ghts a&oe the &a&y5s o+% r!ghts/ Th!s 6$est!o% !s at the )e%ter o" o$r +or,. The a%s+ers are e#erg!%g "or $s
a%' !% the )*os!%g se)t!o% o" th!s )ha(ter +e +!** ret$r% to the 6$est!o% a%' o""er a hy(othes!s 'er!e' "ro# )*!%!)a*
e.(er!e%)e.
I% th!s )ha(ter +e +!** 'es)r!&e o$r )*!%!)a* st$'y a%' o$r treat#e%t thro$gh t+o o" the #a%y !#(er!*e' &a&!es +ho
hae )o#e to $s. As o$r +or, (rogresse', o$r "a#!*!es a%' the!r &a&!es o(e%e' 'oors to $s +h!)h !**$#!%ate' the
(ast a%' the (rese%t. O$r (sy)hoa%a*yt!) ,%o+*e'ge o(e%e' (ath+ays !%to $%'ersta%'!%g the re(et!t!o% o" the (ast !%
the (rese%t. The #etho's o" treat#e%t +e 'ee*o(e' &ro$ght together (sy)hoa%a*ys!s, 'ee*o(#e%ta* (sy)ho*ogy,
a%' so)!a* +or, !% +ays that +!** &e !**$strate'. The re+ar's "or the &a&!es, "or the "a#!*!es, a%' "or $s hae &ee%
ery *arge.
I% th!s )o**a&orat!e +or,, E'%a A'e*so%, sta"" (sy)ho*og!st, +as the thera(!st "or 7a%e a%' her "a#!*y, V!!a%
Sha(!ro, sta"" so)!a* +or,er, +as thera(!st "or Greg a%' h!s "a#!*y, a%' Se*#a Fra!&erg sere' as )ase s$(er!sor a%'
(sy)hoa%a*yt!) )o%s$*ta%t.
Jane
7a%e, +ho )a#e to $s at 8 #o%ths, +as the "!rst &a&y re"erre' to o$r %e+ !%"a%t #e%ta* hea*th (ro4e)t. Her #other,
Mrs. Mar)h, ha' a((eare' at a% a'o(t!o% age%)y so#e +ee,s ear*!er. She +a%te' to s$rre%'er her &a&y "or a'o(t!o%,
&$t a'o(t!o% (*a%s )o$*' %ot (ro)ee' &e)a$se Mr. Mar)h +o$*' %ot g!e h!s )o%se%t. 7a%e5s #other +as 'es)r!&e' as
3a re4e)t!%g #other.3
No+, o" )o$rse %o&o'y *oes a re4e)t!%g #other, !% o$r )o##$%!ty or a%y other, a%' 7a%e a%' her "a#!*y #!ght at
th!s (o!%t hae '!sa((eare' !%to the a%o%y#!ty o" a #etro(o*!ta% )o##$%!ty, (erha(s to s$r"a)e o%)e aga!% +he%
trage'y str$),. B$t )ha%)e &ro$ght the "a#!*y to o%e o" the (sy)h!atr!) )*!%!)s o" o$r $%!ers!ty. The (sy)h!atr!)
ea*$at!o% o" Mrs. Mar)h reea*e' a seere 'e(ress!o%, a% atte#(te' s$!)!'e thro$gh as(!r!%, a +o#a% so tor#e%te'
that she )o$*' &are*y go a&o$t the or'!%ary tas,s o" *!!%g. The 3re4e)t!%g #other3 +as %o+ see% as a 'e(resse'
#other. Psy)h!atr!) treat#e%t +as re)o##e%'e' at a )*!%!)a* sta""!%g. A%' the% o%e o" the )*!%!)a* tea# #e#&ers
sa!', 3B$t +hat a&o$t the &a&y/3 O$r %e+ (ro4e)t ha' &ee% a%%o$%)e' a%' s)he'$*e' "or o(e%!%g the "o**o+!%g 'ay.
There +as a (ho%e )a** to $s, a%' +e agree' to (ro!'e !##e'!ate ea*$at!o% o" the &a&y a%' to )o%s!'er treat#e%t.
EARL !"#ER$A%I!N#
Fro# the t!#e 7a%e +as "!rst see% &y $s +e ha' reaso% "or grae )o%)er%. At 8 #o%ths she &ore a** the st!g#ata o"
the )h!*' +ho has s(e%t the greater (art o" her *!"e !% a )r!& +!th *!tt*e #ore tha% o&*!gatory )are. She +as a'e6$ate*y
%o$r!she' a%' (hys!)a**y )are' "or, &$t the &a), o" her hea' +as &a*'. She sho+e' *!tt*e !%terest !% her s$rro$%'9 she
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+as *!st*ess, too 6$!et. She see#e' to hae o%*y a te%$o$s )o%%e)t!o% +!th her #other. She rare*y s#!*e'. She '!' %ot
s(o%ta%eo$s*y a((roa)h her #other thro$gh eye )o%ta)t or gest$res o" rea)h. There +ere "e+ s(o%ta%eo$s
o)a*!-at!o%s. I% #o#e%ts o" '!s)o#"ort or a%.!ety she '!' %ot t$r% to her #other. I% o$r 'ee*o(#e%ta* test!%g she
"a!*e' %ear*y a** the (erso%a*:so)!a* !te#s o% the Bay*ey s)a*e. The test )o$*' %ot &e )o#(*ete'. 7a%e +as &a'*y
"r!ghte%e' &y the $%e.(e)te' so$%' o" the test &e**. A"ter o%*y a "e+ #ore !te#s her thresho*' o" to*era%)e +as
shattere', a%' she )o**a(se' !%to (ro*o%ge' s)rea#!%g.
The #other herse*" see#e' *o),e' !% so#e (r!ate terror, re#ote, re#oe', yet g!!%g $s rare g*!#(ses o" a )a(a)!ty
"or )ar!%g. For +ee,s +e he*' o%to o%e t!%y !g%ette )a(t$re' o% !'eota(e, !% +h!)h the &a&y #a'e a% a+,+ar'
rea)h "or her #other a%' the #other5s ha%' s(o%ta%eo$s*y rea)he' to+ar' the &a&y. The ha%'s %eer #et ea)h other,
&$t the gest$re sy#&o*!-e' "or the thera(!sts a rea)h!%g o$t to+ar' ea)h other, a%' +e )*$%g to th!s sy#&o*!) ho(e.
There !s a #o#e%t at the &eg!%%!%g o" eery )ase +he% so#eth!%g !s reea*e' that s(ea,s "or the esse%)e o" the
)o%"*!)t. Th!s #o#e%t a((eare' !% the se)o%' sess!o% o" the +or, +he% Mrs. A'e*so% !%!te' 7a%e a%' her #other to
o$r o""!)e. By )ha%)e !t +as a #o#e%t )a(t$re' o% !'eota(e, &e)a$se +e +ere ta(!%g the 'ee*o(#e%ta* test!%g
sess!o% as +e )$sto#ar!*y 'o. 7a%e a%' her #other, Mrs. A'e*so%, a%' Mrs. Ee*y% Atreya, as tester, +ere (rese%t.
7a%e &eg!%s to )ry. It !s a hoarse, eer!e )ry !% a &a&y. Mrs. Atreya '!s)o%t!%$es the test!%g. O% ta(e +e see the &a&y !%
her #other5s ar#s s)rea#!%g ho(e*ess*y9 she 'oes %ot t$r% to her #other "or )o#"ort. The #other *oo,s '!sta%t, se*":
a&sor&e'. She #a,es a% a&se%t gest$re to )o#"ort the &a&y, the% g!es $(. She *oo,s a+ay. The s)rea#!%g )o%t!%$es
"or "!e 'rea'"$* #!%$tes o% ta(e. I% the &a),gro$%' +e hear Mrs. A'e*so%5s o!)e, ge%t*y e%)o$rag!%g the #other;
30hat 'o yo$ 'o to )o#"ort 7a%e +he% she )r!es *!,e th!s/3 Mrs. Mar)h #$r#$rs so#eth!%g !%a$'!&*e. Mrs. A'e*so%
a%' Mrs. Atreya are str$gg*!%g +!th the!r o+% "ee*!%gs. They are restra!%!%g the!r o+% +!shes to (!), $( the &a&y a%'
ho*' her, to #$r#$r )o#"ort!%g th!%gs to her. I" they sho$*' y!e*' to the!r o+% +!shes, they +o$*' 'o the o%e th!%g
they "ee* #$st %ot &e 'o%e. For Mrs. Mar)h +o$*' the% see that a%other +o#a% )o$*' )o#"ort the &a&y, a%' she
+o$*' &e )o%"!r#e' !% her o+% )o%!)t!o% that she +as a &a' #other. It !s a 'rea'"$* "!e #!%$tes "or the &a&y, the
#other, a%' the t+o )*!%!)!a%s. Mrs. A'e*so% #a!%ta!%s )o#(os$re, s(ea,s sy#(athet!)a**y to Mrs. Mar)h. F!%a**y,
the !s!t )o#es to a% e%' +he% Mrs. A'e*so% s$ggests that the &a&y !s "at!g$e' a%' (ro&a&*y +o$*' +e*)o#e her
o+% ho#e a%' her )r!&9 a%' #other a%' &a&y are he*(e' to )*ose the !s!t +!th (*a%s "or a th!r' !s!t ery soo%.
As +e +at)he' th!s ta(e *ater !% a sta"" sess!o%, +e sa!' to ea)h other !%)re'$*o$s*y, 3It5s as !" th!s #other 'oes%5t
hear her &a&y5s )r!es<3 Th!s *e' $s to the ,ey '!ag%ost!) 6$est!o%, 3Why doesn't this mother hear her baby's
cries?3
%&E M!%&ER'# #%!R
Mrs. Mar)h +as herse*" a% a&a%'o%e' )h!*'. Her #other s$""ere' a (ost(art$# (sy)hos!s short*y a"ter the &!rth o"
Mrs. Mar)h. I% a% atte#(te' s$!)!'e, she ha' !%4$re' herse*" a%' +as horr!&*y #$t!*ate' "or *!"e. She ha' the% s(e%t
%ear*y a** o" the rest o" her *!"e !% a hos(!ta* a%' +as &are*y ,%o+% to her )h!*'re%. For "!e years Mrs. Mar)h +as
)are' "or &y a% a$%t. 0he% the a$%t )o$*' %o *o%ger )are "or her she +as sh!"te' to the ho$se o" the #ater%a*
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gra%'#other, +here she re)e!e' gr$'g!%g )are "ro# the &$r'e%e', !#(oer!she' o*' +o#a%. Mrs. Mar)h5s "ather
+as !% a%' o$t o" the "a#!*y (!)t$re. 0e '!' %ot hear #$)h a&o$t h!# $%t!* *ater !% the treat#e%t.
It +as a story o" &*ea, r$ra* (oerty, s!%!ster "a#!*y se)rets, (sy)hos!s, )r!#e, a tra'!t!o% o" (ro#!s)$!ty !% the
+o#e%, o" "!*th a%' '!sor'er !% the ho#e, a%' o" (o*!)e a%' (rote)t!e age%)!es !% the &a),gro$%' #a,!%g "$t!*e
$(*!"t!%g gest$res. Mrs. Mar)h +as the )ast:o$t )h!*' o" a )ast:o$t "a#!*y.
I% *ate a'o*es)e%)e, Mrs. Mar)h #et a%' #arr!e' her h$s&a%', +ho )a#e "ro# (oerty a%' "a#!*y '!sor'er %ot
$%*!,e her o+%. B$t he +a%te' so#eth!%g &etter "or h!#se*" tha% h!s "a#!*y ha' ha'. He &e)a#e the "!rst #e#&er o"
h!s "a#!*y to "!ght h!s +ay o$t o" the )y)*e o" "$t!*!ty, to "!%' stea'y +or,, to esta&*!sh a 'e)e%t ho#e. 0he% these
t+o %eg*e)te' a%' so*!tary yo$%g (eo(*e "o$%' ea)h other, there +as #$t$a* agree#e%t that they +a%te' so#eth!%g
&etter tha% +hat they ha' ,%o+%. B$t %o+, a"ter seera* years o" e""ort, the 'o+%+ar' s(!ra* ha' &eg$%.
There +as a ery h!gh *!,e*!hoo' that 7a%e +as %ot her "ather5s )h!*'. Mrs. Mar)h ha' ha' a &r!e" a""a!r +!th a%other
#a%. Her g$!*t oer the a""a!r, her 'o$&ts a&o$t 7a%e5s (ater%!ty, &e)a#e a% o&sess!e the#e !% her story. I% a ,!%' o"
*!ta%y o" gr!e"s that +e +ere to hear oer a%' oer aga!%, there +as o%e the#e; 3Peo(*e stare' at 7a%e,3 she tho$ght.
3They stare' at her a%' ,%e+ that her "ather +as %ot her "ather. They ,%e+ that her #other ha' r$!%e' her *!"e.3
Mr. Mar)h, +ho &ega% to a((ear to $s as the stro%ger (are%t, +as %ot o&sesse' +!th 7a%e5s (ater%!ty. He +as
)o%!%)e' that he +as 7a%e5s "ather. A%' a%y+ay, he *oe' 7a%e a%' he +a%te' her. H!s +!"e5s o&sess!o% +!th
(ater%!ty &ro$ght a&o$t sho$t!%g 6$arre*s !% the ho#e. 3Forget !t<3 sa!' Mr. Mar)h. 3Sto( ta*,!%g a&o$t !t< A%' ta,e
)are o" 7a%e<3
I% the "a#!*!es o" &oth #other a%' "ather !**eg!t!#a)y )arr!e' %o st!g#a. I% the )ase o" Mrs. Mar)h5s )*a%, the
(ro#!s)$!ty o" the!r +o#e% oer at *east three or "o$r ge%erat!o%s )ast 'o$&t oer the (ater%!ty o" #a%y o" the
)h!*'re%. 0hy +as Mrs. Mar)h o&sesse'/ 0hy the se%se o" tor#e%t!%g s!%/ Th!s (eras!e, )o%s$#!%g se%se o" s!%
+e tho$ght &e*o%ge' to )h!*'hoo', to &$r!e' s!%s, 6$!te (oss!&*y )r!#es o" the !#ag!%at!o%. O% seera* o))as!o%s !%
rea'!%g the )*!%!)a* re(orts, +e ha' the stro%g !#(ress!o% that 7a%e +as the s!%"$* )h!*' o" a% !%)est$o$s "a%tasy. B$t
!" +e +ere r!ght, +e tho$ght to o$rse*es, ho+ )o$*' +e (oss!&*y rea)h th!s !% o$r o%)e:a:+ee, (sy)hothera(y/
%REA%MEN%: %&E EMERGEN( P&A#E
Ho+ sha** +e &eg!%/ 0e sho$*' re#e#&er that 7a%e a%' Mrs. Mar)h +ere o$r "!rst (at!e%ts. 0e '!' %ot hae
treat#e%t #o'e*s aa!*a&*e to $s. I% "a)t, !t +as o$r tas, !% th!s "!rst !%"a%t #e%ta* hea*th (ro4e)t to 'ee*o( #etho's
!% the )o$rse o" the +or,. It #a'e se%se, o" )o$rse, to &eg!% +!th a "a#!*!ar #o'e*, !% +h!)h o$r res!'e%t !%
(sy)h!atry, Dr. =!%%, +or,e' +!th the #other !% +ee,*y or t+!)e:+ee,*y (sy)hothera(y, a%' the (sy)ho*og!st, Mrs.
A'e*so%, (ro!'e' s$((ort a%' 'ee*o(#e%ta* g$!'a%)e o% &eha*" o" the &a&y thro$gh ho#e !s!ts. B$t +!th!% the
"!rst sess!o%s, +e sa+ that Mrs. Mar)h +as ta,!%g "*!ght "ro# Dr. =!%% a%' (sy)h!atr!) treat#e%t. The s!t$at!o% !%
+h!)h she +as a*o%e +!th a #a% &ro$ght "orth a (ho&!) 'rea', a%' she +as re'$)e' to %ear*y !%art!)$*ate ho$rs or to
5
s(ea,!%g o" tr!!a* )o%)er%s. A** e""orts to rea)h Mrs. Mar)h, or to to$)h $(o% her a%.!et!es or '!s)o#"ort !% th!s
re*at!o%sh!(, *e' to a% !#(asse. O%e the#e +as $ttere' oer a%' oer aga!%. She '!' %ot tr$st #e%. B$t a*so, +e
)a$ght g*!#(ses !% her o&*!6$e )o##$%!)at!o%s o" a terr!&*e se)ret that she +o$*' %eer reea* to a%yo%e. She &ro,e
a((o!%t#e%ts #ore "re6$e%t*y tha% she ,e(t the#. 0!th #$)h '!""!)$*ty, Dr. =!%% s$sta!%e' a re*at!o%sh!( +!th her. It
+as %ear*y a year &e"ore +e "!%a**y hear' the se)ret a%' $%'erstoo' the (ho&!) 'rea' that *e' to th!s "or#!'a&*e
res!sta%)e.
There are %o ge%era*!-at!o%s to &e 'ra+% "ro# th!s e.(er!e%)e. 0e hae &ee% as,e' so#et!#es !" +o#e% thera(!sts
are #ore a'a%tage' !% +or,!%g +!th #others +ho hae s$""ere' seere #ater%a* 'e(r!at!o% the#se*es. O$r
a%s+er, a"ter %ear*y e!ght years o" +or,, !s, 3Not %e)essar!*y9 so#et!#es %ot at a**.3 0e hae e.a#(*es !% o$r +or,
!% +h!)h the #a*e thera(!st +as s(e)!a**y a'a%tage' !% +or,!%g +!th #others. 0e te%' to ass!g% )ases +!tho$t
oer)o%)er% a&o$t the se. o" the thera(!st. Mrs. Mar)h #$st &e regar'e' as a% e.)e(t!o%a* )ase.
B$t %o+ +e +ere "a)e' +!th a thera(e$t!) '!*e##a. Mrs. A'e*so%5s +or, +as to )e%ter !% the !%"a%t:#other
re*at!o%sh!( thro$gh ho#e !s!ts. Mrs. Mar)h %ee'e' her o+% thera(!st, Dr. =!%%, &$t a #or&!' 'rea' o" #e%,
aro$se' !% the tra%s"ere%)e, (ree%te' her "ro# $s!%g the (sy)h!atr!) he*( aa!*a&*e to her. 0!th #$)h t!#e a%'
(at!e%t +or, !% the (sy)h!atr!) treat#e%t, +e +o$*' ho(e to $%)oer the se)ret that re'$)e' her to s!*e%)e a%' "*!ght
!% the tra%s"ere%)e to Dr. =!%%.
B$t the &a&y +as !% great (er!*. A%' the &a&y )o$*' %ot +a!t "or the reso*$t!o% o" the #other5s %e$ros!s.
Mrs. A'e*so%, +e soo% sa+, '!' %ot aro$se the sa#e #or&!' a%.!et!es !% Mrs. Mar)h, &$t her ro*e as the &a&y:#other
thera(!st, the ho#e> &ase' (sy)ho*og!st, '!' %ot *e%' !tse*" eas!*y to $%)oer!%g the )o%"*!)t$a* e*e#e%ts !% the
#other5s re*at!o%sh!( to the )h!*' a%' the treat#e%t o" the #other5s 'e(ress!o%.
S!%)e +e ha' %o a*ter%at!e, +e 'e)!'e' +e +o$*' $se the ho#e !s!ts "or o$r e#erge%)y treat#e%t.
0hat e#erge', the%, +as a "or# o" 3(sy)hothera(y !% the ,!t)he%,3 so to s(ea,, +h!)h +!** str!,e yo$ as &oth
"a#!*!ar !% !ts #etho's a%' $%"a#!*!ar !% !ts sett!%g. The #etho', a ar!a%t o" (sy)hoa%a*yt!) (sy)hothera(y, #a'e
$se o" tra%s"ere%)e, the re(et!t!o% o" the (ast !% the (rese%t, a%' !%ter(retat!o%. E6$a**y !#(orta%t, the #etho'
!%)*$'e' )o%t!%$o$s 'ee*o(#e%ta* o&serat!o%s o" the &a&y a%' a ta)t"$*, %o%'!'a)t!) e'$)at!o% o" the #other !% the
re)og%!t!o% o" her &a&y5s %ee's a%' her s!g%a*s.
The sett!%g +as the "a#!*y ,!t)he% or the *!!%g roo#. The (at!e%t +ho )o$*'%5t ta*, +as a*+ays (rese%t at the
!%ter!e+s2!" she +as%5t %a((!%g. The (at!e%t +ho )o$*' ta*, +e%t a&o$t her 'o#est!) tas,s or '!a(ere' or "e' the
&a&y. The thera(!st5s eyes a%' ears +ere att$%e' to &oth the %o%er&a* )o##$%)!at!o%s o" the &a&y a%' the s$&sta%)e
o" the #other5s er&a* a%' %o%er&a* )o##$%!)at!o%s. Eeryth!%g that tra%s(!re' &et+ee% #other a%' &a&y +as !%
the ($r!e+ o" the thera(!st a%' !% the )e%ter o" the thera(y. The '!a*og$e &et+ee% the #other a%' the thera(!st
)e%tere' $(o% (rese%t )o%)er%s a%' #oe' &a), a%' "orth &et+ee% the (ast a%' the (rese%t, &et+ee% th!s #other a%'
)h!*' a%' a%other )h!*' a%' her "a#!*y !% the #other5s (ast. The #etho' (roe' !tse*" a%' *e' $s, !% *ater )ases, to
e.(*ore the (oss!&!*!t!es o" the s!%g*e thera(!st !% the ho#e:&ase' treat#e%t.
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0e sha** %o+ try to s$##ar!-e the treat#e%t o" 7a%e a%' her #other a%' e.a#!%e the #etho's that +ere e#(*oye'.
I% the ear*y ho$rs o" treat#e%t, Mrs. Mar)h5s o+% story e#erge' ha*t!%g*y, %arrate' !% a '!sta%t, sa' o!)e. It +as the
story +e s,et)he' ear*!er. As the #other to*' her story, 7a%e, o$r se)o%' (at!e%t, sat (ro((e' o% the )o$)h or *ay
stret)he' o$t o% a &*a%,et, a%' the sa' a%' '!sta%t "a)e o" the #other +as #!rrore' !% the sa' a%' '!sta%t "a)e o" the
&a&y. It +as a roo# )ro+'e' +!th ghosts. The #other5s story o" a&a%'o%#e%t a%' %eg*e)t +as %o+ &e!%g
(sy)ho*og!)a**y ree%a)te' +!th her o+% &a&y.
The (ro&*e#, !% the e#erge%)y (hase o" the treat#e%t, +as to get the ghosts o$t o" the &a&y5s %$rsery. To 'o th!s +e
+o$*' %ee' to he*( the #other to see the re(et!t!o% o" the (ast !% the (rese%t, +h!)h +e a** ,%o+ ho+ to 'o !% a%
o""!)e that !s (ro(er*y "$r%!she' +!th a 'es, a%' a )ha!r or a )o$)h, &$t +h!)h +e ha' %ot yet *ear%e' to 'o !% a
"a#!*y *!!%g roo# or a ,!t)he%. The thera(e$t!) (r!%)!(*es +o$*' %ee' to &e the sa#e, +e 'e)!'e'. B$t !% th!s
e#erge%)y (hase o" the treat#e%t, o% &eha*" o" a &a&y, +e +o$*' hae to "!%' a (ath !%to the )o%"*!)t$a* e*e#e%ts o"
the #other5s %e$ros!s +h!)h ha' '!re)t &ear!%g $(o% her )a(a)!ty to #other. The &a&y +o$*' %ee' to &e at the )e%ter
o" treat#e%t "or the e#erge%)y (er!o'.
0e &ega%, as +e sa!', +!th the 6$est!o% to o$rse*es; 30hy )a%5t th!s #other hear her &a&y5s )r!es/3
The a%s+er to the )*!%!)a* 6$est!o% !s a*rea'y s$ggeste' !% the #other5s story. Th!s !s a #other +hose o+% )r!es hae
%ot &ee% hear'. There +ere, +e tho$ght, t+o )ry!%g )h!*'re% !% the *!!%g roo#. The #other5s '!sta%t o!)e, her
re#ote%ess a%' re#oe +e sa+ as 'e"e%ses aga!%st gr!e" a%' !%to*era&*e (a!%. Her terr!&*e story ha' &ee% "!rst g!e%
"a)t$a**y, +!tho$t !s!&*e s$""er!%g, +!tho$t tears. A** that +as !s!&*e +as the sa', e#(ty, ho(e*ess *oo, $(o% her
"a)e. She ha' )*ose' the 'oor o% the +ee(!%g )h!*' +!th!% herse*" as s$re*y as she ha' )*ose' the 'oor $(o% her
)ry!%g &a&y.
Th!s *e' to o$r "!rst )*!%!)a* hy(othes!s; When this mother's own cries are heard, she will hear her
child's cries.
Mrs. A'e*so%5s +or,, the%, )e%tere' $(o% the 'ee*o(#e%t o" a treat#e%t re*at!o%sh!( !% +h!)h tr$st )o$*' &e g!e%
&y a yo$%g +o#a% +ho ha' %ot ,%o+% tr$st, a%' !% +h!)h tr$st )o$*' *ea' to the ree*at!o% o" the o*' "ee*!%gs +h!)h
)*ose' her o"" "ro# her )h!*'. As Mrs. Mar)h5s story #oe' &a), a%' "orth &et+ee% her &a&y, 3I )a%5t *oe 7a%e,3 a%'
her o+% )h!*'hoo', +h!)h )a% &e s$##ar!-e', 3No&o'y +a%te' #e,3 the thera(!st o(e%e' $( (ath+ays o" "ee*!%g.
Mrs. A'e*so% *!ste%e' a%' ($t !%to +or's the "ee*!%gs o" Mrs. Mar)h as a )h!*'. 3Ho+ har' th!s #$st hae &ee%....
Th!s #$st hae h$rt 'ee(*y.... O" )o$rse, yo$ %ee'e' yo$r #other. There +as %o o%e to t$r% to.... Yes. So#et!#es
gro+%$(s 'o%5t $%'ersta%' +hat a** th!s #ea%s to a )h!*'. Yo$ #$st hae %ee'e' to )ry.... There +as %o o%e to hear
yo$.3
The thera(!st +as g!!%g Mrs. Mar)h (er#!ss!o% to "ee* a%' to re#e#&er "ee*!%gs. It #ay hae &ee% the "!rst t!#e !%
Mrs. Mar)h5s *!"e that so#eo%e ha' g!e% her th!s (er#!ss!o%. A%' gra'$a**y, as +e sho$*' e.(e)t2&$t +!th!% o%*y
a "e+ sess!o%s2gr!e", tears, a%' $%s(ea,a&*e a%g$!sh "or herse*" as a )asto"" )h!*' &ega% to e#erge. It +as "!%a**y a
7
re*!e" to &e a&*e to )ry, a )o#"ort to "ee* the $%'ersta%'!%g o" her thera(!st. A%' %o+, +!th ea)h sess!o%, Mrs.
A'e*so% +!t%esse' so#eth!%g a*#ost $%&e*!ea&*e ha((e%!%g &et+ee% #other a%' &a&y.
Yo$ re#e#&er that the &a&y +as %ear*y a*+ays !% the roo# !% the #!'st o" th!s *!!%g roo#:,!t)he% thera(y o" o$rs.
I" 7a%e 'e#a%'e' atte%t!o%, the #other +o$*' r!se !% the #!'st o" the !%ter!e+ to '!a(er her or get her a &ott*e. More
o"te%, the &a&y +as !g%ore' !" she '!' %ot 'e#a%' atte%t!o%. B$t %o+, as Mrs. Mar)h &ega% to ta,e the (er#!ss!o% to
re#e#&er her "ee*!%gs, to )ry, a%' to "ee* the )o#"ort a%' sy#(athy o" Mrs. A'e*so%, +e sa+ her #a,e a((roa)hes
to her &a&y !% the #!'st o" her o+% o$t(o$r!%gs. She +o$*' (!), $( 7a%e a%' ho*' her, at "!rst '!sta%t a%' se*":
a&sor&e', &$t ho*'!%g her. A%' the% o%e 'ay, st!** +!th!% the "!rst #o%th o" treat#e%t, Mrs. Mar)h, !% the #!'st o" a%
o$t(o$r!%g o" gr!e", (!),e' $( 7a%e, he*' her ery )*ose, a%' )roo%e' to her !% a heart&ro,e% o!)e. A%' the% !t
ha((e%e' aga!%, a%' seera* t!#es !% the %e.t sess!o%s. A% o$t(o$r!%g o" o*' gr!e"s a%' a gather!%g o" the &a&y !%to
her ar#s. The ghosts !% the &a&y5s %$rsery +ere &eg!%%!%g to *eae.
These +ere #ore tha% tra%s!tory gest$res to+ar' ra((ro)he#e%t +!th the &a&y. Fro# a** e!'e%)e to Mrs. A'e*so%5s
o&ser!%g eyes, #other a%' &a&y +ere &eg!%%!%g to "!%' ea)h other. A%' %o+ that they +ere )o#!%g !%to to$)h +!th
ea)h other, Mrs. A'e*so% '!' eeryth!%g +!th!% her )a(a)!ty as thera(!st a%' 'ee*o(#e%ta* (sy)ho*og!st to (ro#ote
the e#erg!%g atta)h#e%t. 0he% 7a%e re+ar'e' her #other +!th a &ea$t!"$* a%' s(e)!a* s#!*e, Mrs. A'e*so%
)o##e%te' o% !t a%' o&sere' that she, Mrs. A'e*so%, '!' %ot get s$)h a s#!*e, +h!)h +as 4$st the +ay !t sho$*' &e.
That s#!*e &e*o%ge' to her #other. 0he% a )ry!%g 7a%e &ega% to see, her #other5s )o#"ort a%' "o$%' re*!e" !% her
#other5s ar#s, Mrs. A'e*so% s(o,e "or 7a%e. 3It "ee*s so goo' +he% #other ,%o+s +hat yo$ +a%t.3 A%' Mrs. Mar)h
herse*" s#!*e' shy*y, &$t +!th (r!'e.
These sess!o%s +!th #other a%' &a&y soo% too, o% the!r o+% rhyth#. Mr. Mar)h +as o"te% (rese%t "or a short t!#e
&e"ore *ea!%g "or +or,. ?S(e)!a* sess!o%s "or "ather +ere a*so +or,e' o$t o% ee%!%gs a%' Sat$r'ays.@ The sess!o%s
ty(!)a**y &ega% +!th 7a%e !% the roo# a%' 7a%e as the to(!) o" '!s)$ss!o%. I% a %at$ra*, !%"or#a*, %o%'!'a)t!) +ay,
Mrs. A'e*so% +o$*' )o##e%t +!th (*eas$re o% 7a%e5s 'ee*o(#e%t a%' +eae !%to her )o##e%ts $se"$* !%"or#at!o%
a&o$t the %ee's o" &a&!es at A #o%ths or B #o%ths a%' ho+ 7a%e +as *ear%!%g a&o$t her +or*' a%' ho+ her #other
a%' "ather +ere *ea'!%g her !%to these '!s)oer!es. Together the (are%ts a%' Mrs. A'e*so% +o$*' +at)h 7a%e
e.(er!#e%t +!th a %e+ toy or a %e+ (ost$re, a%', +!th )*ose +at)h!%g, )o$*' see ho+ she +as "!%'!%g so*$t!o%s a%'
#o!%g stea'!*y "or+ar'. The 'e*!ghts o" &a&y:+at)h!%g, +h!)h Mrs. A'e*so% ,%e+, +ere share' +!th Mr. a%' Mrs.
Mar)h, a%', to o$r great (*eas$re, &oth (are%ts &ega% to share these 'e*!ghts a%' to &r!%g !% the!r o+% o&serat!o%s o"
7a%e a%' o" her %e+ a))o#(*!sh#e%ts.
D$r!%g the sa#e sess!o%, a"ter Mr. Mar)h ha' *e"t "or +or,, the ta*, +o$*' #oe at o%e (o!%t or a%other &a), to Mrs.
Mar)h herse*", to her (rese%t gr!e"s a%' her )h!*'hoo' gr!e"s. More a%' #ore "re6$e%t*y %o+, Mrs. A'e*so% )o$*'
he*( Mrs. Mar)h see the )o%%e)t!o%s &et+ee% the (ast a%' the (rese%t a%' sho+ her ho+ 3+!tho$t rea*!-!%g !t,3 she
ha' &ro$ght her s$""er!%gs o" the (ast !%to her re*at!o%sh!( +!th her o+% &a&y.
0!th!% "o$r #o%ths 7a%e &e)a#e a hea*thy, #ore res(o%s!e, o"te% 4oy"$* &a&y. At o$r te%:#o%th test!%g, o&4e)t!e
assess#e%t sho+e' her to &e age:a((ro(r!ate !% her "o)$se' atta)h#e%t to her #other, !% her (re"ere%t!a* s#!*!%g a%'
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o)a*!-at!o% to #other a%' "ather, !% her see,!%g o" her #other "or )o#"ort a%' sa"ety. The Bay*ey 'ee*o(#e%ta*
test!%g sho+e' $%ee% &$t !#(ress!e (rogress. 7a%e +as t+o #o%ths a'a%)e' o% so)!a* !%tera)t!o% !te#s a%' at age
*ee* "or "!%e #otor (er"or#a%)e "or her )orre)te' age. Lags o" "ro# o%e to t+o #o%ths o% o)a*!-at!o% a%' gross
#otor !te#s (*a)e' her &e*o+ her )orre)te' age, &$t st!** +!th!% the %or#a* ra%ge.
Mrs. Mar)h ha' &e)o#e a res(o%s!e #other a%' a (ro$' #other. Yet o$r )a$t!o$s rat!%g o" the #other5s o+%
(sy)ho*og!)a* state re#a!%e' ; 3'e(resse'.3 It +as tr$e that Mrs. Mar)h +as (rogress!%g, a%' +e sa+ #a%y s!g%s that
the 'e(ress!o% +as %o *o%ger (eras!e a%' )o%str!)t!%g, &$t 'e(ress!o% +as st!** there, a%', +e tho$ght, st!**
o#!%o$s. M$)h +or, re#a!%e'.
0hat +e ha' a)h!ee', the%, !% o$r "!rst "o$r #o%ths5 +or, +as %ot yet a )$re o" the #other5s !**%ess, &$t a "or# o"
)o%tro* o" the '!sease, !% +h!)h the (atho*ogy +h!)h ha' s(rea' to e#&ra)e the &a&y +as %o+ *arge*y +!th'ra+%
"ro# the )h!*'9 the )o%"*!)t$a* e*e#e%ts o" the #other5s %e$ros!s +ere %o+ !'e%t!"!e' &y the #other as +e** as
o$rse*es as 3&e*o%g!%g to the (ast3 a%' 3%ot &e*o%g!%g to 7a%e.3 The &o%'s &et+ee% #other a%' &a&y ha' e#erge'.
A%' the &a&y herse*" +as !%s$r!%g those &o%'s. For eery gest$re o" *oe "ro# her #other, she gae ge%ero$s
re+ar's o" *oe. Mrs. Mar)h, +e tho$ght, #ay hae "e*t )her!she' &y so#eo%e "or the "!rst t!#e !% her *!"e.
A** th!s )o%st!t$tes +hat +e +o$*' )a** 3the e#erge%)y (hase o" the treat#e%t.3 No+, !% retros(e)t, +e )a% te** yo$
that !t too, a "$** year &eyo%' th!s (o!%t to &r!%g so#e reso*$t!o% to Mrs. Mar)h5s ery seere !%ter%a* )o%"*!)ts, a%'
there +ere a %$#&er o" (ro&*e#s !% #other> )h!*' re*at!o%sh!(s +h!)h e#erge' '$r!%g that year9 &$t 7a%e +as o$t o"
'a%ger, a%' ee% the &a&y )o%"*!)ts o" the se)o%' year o" *!"e +ere %ot e.traor'!%ary or #or&!'. O%)e the &o%' ha'
&ee% "or#e', %ear*y eeryth!%g e*se )o$*' "!%' so*$t!o%s.
!%&ER (!N)LI(%*AL AREA#
0e sha** try to s$##ar!-e the "o**o+!%g #o%ths o" treat#e%t. 7a%e re#a!%e' the "o)$s o" o$r +or,. A%' "o**o+!%g
the (atter% a*rea'y esta&*!she', the thera(e$t!) +or, #oe' "ree*y &et+ee% the &a&y a%' her 'ee*o(#e%ta* %ee's
a%' (ro&*e#s a%' the #other5s )o%"*!)te' (ast.
O%e (o!g%a%t e.a#(*e )o#es to #!%'. Mrs. Mar)h, !% s(!te o" %e+> "o$%' (*eas$re a%' (r!'e !% #otherhoo', )o$*'
st!** #a,e )as$a* a%' $%"ee*!%g (*a%s "or &a&ys!tt!%g. The #ea%!%g o" se(arat!o% a%' te#(orary *oss to a C:year:o*'
)h!*' '!' %ot reg!ster +!th Mrs. Mar)h. 0he% the #other too, (art:t!#e +or, at o%e (o!%t ?a%' the "a#!*y (oerty
gae so#e 4$st!"!)at!o% "or a''!t!o%a* !%)o#e@, Mrs. Mar)h #a'e hasty a%' !**:tho$ght:o$t s!tt!%g arra%ge#e%ts "or
7a%e a%' the% +as s$r(r!se', as +as Mr. Mar)h, to "!%' that 7a%e +as so#et!#es 3)ra%,y3 a%' 3s(o!*e'3 a%' 3#ea%.3
Mrs. A'e*so% tr!e' !% a %$#&er o" ta)t"$* +ays to he*( the Mar)hes th!%, a&o$t the #ea%!%g to 7a%e o" her *oe "or
#other a%' her te#(orary *oss o" #other '$r!%g the 'ay. She #et a &*a%, +a**. Both (are%ts ha' ,%o+% sh!"t!%g a%'
)as$a* re*at!o%sh!(s +!th (are%ts a%' (are%t> s$&st!t$tes "ro# the!r ear*!est years. The #ea%!%g o" se(arat!o% a%' *oss
+as &$r!e' !% #e#ory. The!r "a#!*y sty*e o" )o(!%g +!th se(arat!o%, 'esert!o%, or 'eath +as 3Forget a&o$t !t. Yo$
get $se' to !t.3 Mrs. Mar)h )o$*' %ot re#e#&er gr!e" or (a!% at the *oss o" !#(orta%t (erso%s.
9
So#eho+ o%)e aga!% +e +ere go!%g to hae to "!%' the a""e)t!e *!%,s &et+ee% *oss a%' 'e%!a* o" *oss, "or the &a&y
!% the (rese%t, a%' *oss !% the #other5s (ast.
The #o#e%t )a#e o%e #or%!%g +he% Mrs. A'e*so% arr!e' to "!%' the "a#!*y !% '!sor'er; 7a%e )ry!%g at the
a((roa)h o" a %o+:"a#!*!ar !s!tor, (are%ts a%gry at a &a&y +ho +as &e!%g 34$st (*a!% st$&&or%.3 Tho$ght"$* !%6$!r!es
"ro# Mrs. A'e*so% &ro$ght the %e+ !%"or#at!o% that 7a%e ha' 4$st *ost o%e s!tter a%' starte' +!th a%other. Mrs.
A'e*so% +o%'ere' o$t *o$' +hat th!s #!ght #ea% to 7a%e. Yester'ay she ha' &ee% *e"t, $%e.(e)te'*y, !% a tota**y
%e+ (*a)e +!th a stra%ge +o#a%. She "e*t a*o%e a%' "r!ghte%e' +!tho$t her #other, a%' '!' %ot ,%o+ +hat +as
go!%g to ha((e%. No o%e )o$*' e.(*a!% th!%gs to her9 she +as o%*y a &a&y, +!th %o +or's to e.(ress her ser!o$s
(ro&*e#. So#eho+, +e +o$*' hae to "!%' a +ay to $%'ersta%' a%' to he*( her +!th her "ears a%' +orr!es.
Mr. Mar)h, o% h!s +ay to +or,, sto((e' *o%g e%o$gh to *!ste% atte%t!e*y. Mrs. Mar)h +as *!ste%!%g too, a%' &e"ore
her h$s&a%' *e"t, she as,e' h!# to try to get ho#e ear*!er to'ay so that 7a%e +o$*' %ot &e too *o%g at the s!tter5s.
There "o**o+e' a #o!%g sess!o% !% +h!)h the #other )r!e', a%' the &a&y )r!e', a%' so#eth!%g ery !#(orta%t +as
($t !%to +or's. I% a )!r)$*ar a%' te%tat!e +ay, Mrs. Mar)h &ega% to ta*, a&o$t A$%t R$th, +!th +ho# she ha' *!e'
'$r!%g her "!rst "!e years. There ha' %ot &ee% a *etter "ro# A$%t R$th "or so#e #o%ths. She tho$ght A$%t R$th +as
a%gry at her. She s+!t)he' to her #other:!%:*a+, to tho$ghts o" her )o*'%ess a%' re4e)t!o% o" Mrs. Mar)h. The% )a#e
)o#(*a!%ts a&o$t the s!tters, +!th the the#e that o%e s!tter +as a%gry &e)a$se 7a%e )r!e' +he% her #other *e"t. The
the#e +as 3re4e)t!o%3 a%' 3*oss,3 a%' Mrs. Mar)h +as sear)h!%g "or !t eery+here !% the )o%te#(orary s)e%e. She
)r!e' thro$gho$t, &$t so#eho+ ee% +!th Mrs. A'e*so%5s ge%t*e h!%ts, she )o$*' %ot ($t a** th!s together.
The% at o%e (o!%t Mrs. Mar)h *e"t the roo#, st!** !% tears, a%' ret$r%e' +!th a "a#!*y (hotogra(h a*&$#. She
!'e%t!"!e' the (!)t$res "or Mrs. A'e*so%. Mother, "ather, A$%t R$th, A$%t R$th5s so% +ho ha' &ee% ,!**e' !% the +ar.
Sorro+ "or A$%t R$th. No&o'y !% the "a#!*y +o$*' *et her gr!ee "or her so%. 3Forget a&o$t !t3 !s +hat they sa!'. She
s(o,e a&o$t her "ather5s 'eath a%' her gra%'"ather5s 'eath !% the re)e%t (ast.
Ma%y *osses, #a%y sho),s, 4$st &e"ore 7a%e5s &!rth, she +as say!%g. A%' the "a#!*y a*+ays sa!', 3Forget a&o$t !t.3
A%' the% Mrs. A'e*so%, *!ste%!%g sy#(athet!)a**y, re#!%'e' her that there ha' &ee% #a%y other *osses, #a%y other
sho),s "or Mrs. Mar)h *o%g ago !% her !%"a%)y a%' )h!*'hoo'. The *oss o" her #other, +h!)h she )o$*' %ot
re#e#&er, a%' the *oss o" A$%t R$th +he% she +as 8 years o*'. Mrs. A'e*so% as,e' ho+ Mrs. Mar)h ha' "e*t the%,
+he% she +as too yo$%g to $%'ersta%' +hat +as ha((e%!%g. Loo,!%g at 7a%e, s!tt!%g o% her #other5s *a(, Mrs.
A'e*so% sa!', 3I +o%'er !" +e )o$*' $%'ersta%' ho+ 7a%e +o$*' "ee* r!ght %o+ !" she s$''e%*y "o$%' herse*" !% a
%e+ ho$se, %ot 4$st "or a% ho$r or t+o +!th a s!tter, &$t (er#a%e%t*y, %eer to see her #other or "ather aga!%. 7a%e
+o$*'%5t hae a%y +ay to $%'ersta%' th!s9 !t +o$*' *eae her ery +orr!e', ery $(set. I +o%'er +hat !t +as *!,e "or
yo$ +he% yo$ +ere a *!tt*e g!r*.3
Mrs. Mar)h *!ste%e', 'ee( !% tho$ght. A #o#e%t *ater she sa!', !% a% a%gry a%' assert!e o!)e, 3Yo$ )a%5t 4$st
re(*a)e o%e (erso% +!th a%other.... Yo$ )a%5t sto( *o!%g the# a%' th!%,!%g a&o$t the#. Yo$ )a%5t 4$st re(*a)e
10
so#e&o'y.3 She +as s(ea,!%g o" herse*" %o+. Mrs. A'e*so% agree', a%' the% ge%t*y &ro$ght the !%s!ght &a), o%
&eha*" o" 7a%e.
Th!s +as the &eg!%%!%g o" %e+ !%s!ghts "or Mrs. Mar)h. As she +as he*(e' to ree.(er!e%)e *oss, gr!e", a%' "ee*!%gs o"
re4e)t!o% !% )h!*'hoo', she )o$*' %o *o%ger !%"*!)t th!s (a!% $(o% her o+% )h!*'. 3I +o$*' %eer +a%t #y &a&y to "ee*
that,3 she sa!' +!th (ro"o$%' "ee*!%g. She +as &eg!%%!%g to $%'ersta%' *oss a%' gr!e". 0!th Mrs. A'e*so%5s he*(, she
%o+ &ega% to +or, o$t a sta&*e s!tter (*a% "or 7a%e, +!th "$** $%'ersta%'!%g o" the #ea%!%g to her )h!*'. 7a%e5s
a%.!et!es &ega% to '!#!%!sh, a%' she sett*e' !%to her %e+ reg!#e.
F!%a**y, too, +e *ear%e' the 'rea' se)ret +h!)h ha' !%a'e' the tra%s"ere%)e to Dr. =!%% a%' )a$se' her to ta,e "*!ght
"ro# (sy)h!atr!) treat#e%t. The #or&!' "ear o" &e!%g a*o%e !% the sa#e roo# +!th the 'o)tor, the o&sess!e se%se o"
s!% +h!)h ha' atta)he' !tse*" to 7a%e5s 'o$&t"$* (ater%!ty, ha' g!e% $s the stro%g )*!%!)a* !#(ress!o% that 7a%e +as
3a% !%)est$o$s &a&y,3 )o%)e!e' *o%g ago !% )h!*'hoo' "a%tasy, #a'e rea* thro$gh the !**!)!t re*at!o%sh!( +!th a% o$t:
o":+e'*o), *oer. By th!s +e #ea%t %oth!%g #ore tha% 3a% !%)est$o$s "a%tasy,3 o" )o$rse. 0e +ere %ot (re(are' "or
the story that "!%a**y e#erge'. 0!th great sha#e a%' s$""er!%g, Mrs. Mar)h to*' Mrs. A'e*so% !% the se)o%' year o"
treat#e%t her )h!*'hoo' se)rets. Her o+% "ather ha' e.h!&!te' h!#se*" to her +he% she +as a )h!*' a%' ha'
a((roa)he' her a%' her gra%'#other !% the &e' they share'. Her gra%'#other ha' a))$se' her o" se'$)!%g her
e*'er*y gra%'"ather. Th!s Mrs. Mar)h 'e%!e'. A%' her "!rst !%ter)o$rse at the age o" CC too, (*a)e +!th her )o$s!%,
+ho stoo' !% the re*at!o%sh!( o" &rother to her, s!%)e they share' the sa#e ho$se !% the ear*y years o" *!"e. I%)est +as
%ot "a%tasy "or Mrs. Mar)h. A%' %o+ +e $%'erstoo' the o&sess!e se%se o" s!% +h!)h ha' atta)he' !tse*" to 7a%e a%'
her $%)erta!% (ater%!ty.
JANE A% + EAR# !) AGE
D$r!%g the se)o%' year o" treat#e%t, Mrs. A'e*so% )o%t!%$e' as the thera(!st "or Mrs. Mar)h. Dr. =!%% ha'
)o#(*ete' h!s res!'e%)y, a%' Mrs. Mar)h5s tra%s"ere%)e to Mrs. A'e*so% "aore' )o%t!%$!ty !% the +or, +!th the
#other. 0!**!a# S)ha"er, (sy)ho*og!st o% o$r sta"", &e)a#e the g$!'a%)e +or,er "or 7a%e. ?0e %o *o%ger hae
se(arate thera(!sts "or (are%t a%' )h!*', &$t !% th!s "!rst )ase +e +ere st!** e.(er!#e%t!%g.@
It !s o" so#e )o%s!'era&*e !%terest that !% the !%!t!a* #eet!%gs +!th Mr. S)ha"er, Mrs. Mar)h +as aga!% !% #$te terror
as her #or&!' "ear o" 3a #a%3 +as re!e' !% tra%s"ere%)e. B$t th!s t!#e Mrs. Mar)h ha' #a'e *arge a'a%)es !% her
thera(e$t!) +or,. The a%.!ety +as ha%'*e' !% tra%s"ere%)e &y Mr. S)ha"er, a%' &ro$ght &a), to Mrs. A'e*so% +here
!t )o$*' &e (*a)e' +!th!% the )o%te.t o" the !%)est$o$s #ater!a* that ha' e#erge' !% treat#e%t. The a%.!ety
'!#!%!she', a%' Mrs. Mar)h +as a&*e to #a,e a stro%g a**!a%)e +!th Mr. S)ha"er. The 'ee*o(#e%ta* g$!'a%)e o" the
se)o%' year &ro$ght "$rther stre%gth a%' sta&!*!ty to the #other:)h!*' re*at!o%sh!(, a%' +e sa+ 7a%e )o%t!%$!%g her
'ee*o(#e%ta* (rogress thro$gh her se)o%' year, ee% as her #other +as +or,!%g thro$gh ery (a!%"$* #ater!a* !%
her o+% thera(e$t!) +or,.
0ere there res!'$es !% 7a%e5s (erso%a*!ty "ro# the ear*y #o%ths o" %eg*e)t/ As a D:year:o*', 7a%e +as a% attra)t!e,
&$sy *!tt*e g!r* +ho (rese%te' %o e.traor'!%ary (ro&*e#s !% 'ee*o(#e%t. The o%*y res!'$e +e )o$*' 'ete)t +as a
11
#o#e%tary sto((age o" (*ay at t!#es +he% Mrs. Mar)h &e)a#e te#(orar!*y $%)o#"orta&*e, as !% a% $%"a#!*!ar
so)!a* sett!%g or +he% re)a**!%g (art!)$*ar*y (a!%"$* #e#or!es.
For the rest, 7a%e +as a &r!ght, o)a*, so)!a&*e )h!*'. Her a""e)t!o%ate t!es to her #other a%' "ather a((eare' to $s as
a((ro(r!ate "or her age. She +as re#ar,a&*y "ree "ro# s!g%s o" +!th'ra+a*, se*":a&sor(t!o%, or se(arat!o% a%.!ety. I%
s(o%ta%eo$s 'o** (*ay, +e sa+ a stro%g (os!t!e !'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th her #other a%' +!th a)ts o" #other!%g. She +as a
so*!)!to$s #other to her 'o**s, "ee'!%g, 'ress!%g the# +!th e!'e%t (*eas$re, #$r#$r!%g )o#"ort!%g th!%gs to the#.
Bay*ey 'ee*o(#e%ta* test!%g sho+e' )o%t!%$e' (rogress. She ha' reta!%e' her age a'e6$a)y o% so)!a* !%tera)t!o%
a%' "!%e #otor !te#s. Gross #otor 'ee*o(#e%t +as %o+ a*so at age *ee*. La%g$age, +h!)h ha' (re!o$s*y &ee% a
#a4or area o" )o%)er%, %o+ sho+e' o%*y a s*!ght 'e*ay o" o%e #o%th.
It +as !% 'o** (*ay at C;CE;E that Mr. S)ha"er "!rst hear' 7a%e s(ea, a "$** se%te%)e. Her 'o** +as a))!'e%ta**y tra((e'
&eh!%' a 'oor +!th a s(r!%g )at)h, a%' 7a%e )o$*' %ot re)oer !t. 3I +a%t #y &a&y. I +a%t #y &a&y<3 she )a**e' o$t !%
a% !#(erat!e o!)e. It +as a ery goo' se%te%)e "or a D:year:o*'. It +as a*so a #o!%g state#e%t to a** o" $s +ho
,%e+ 7a%e5s story.
For $s the story #$st e%' here. The "a#!*y has #oe' o%. Mr. Mar)h &eg!%s a %e+ )areer +!th ery goo' (ros(e)ts
!% a %e+ )o##$%!ty that (ro!'es )o#"orta&*e ho$s!%g a%' a +ar# +e*)o#e. The e.ter%a* )!r)$#sta%)es *oo,
(ro#!s!%g. More !#(orta%t, the "a#!*y has gro+% )*oser9 a&a%'o%#e%t !s %ot a )e%tra* )o%)er%. O%e o" the #ost
ho(e"$* s!g%s +as Mrs. Mar)h5s stea'y a&!*!ty to ha%'*e the stress o" the $%)erta!%ty that (re)e'e' the 4o& )ho!)e.
A%' as ter#!%at!o% a((roa)he', she )o$*' o(e%*y a),%o+*e'ge her sa'%ess. Loo,!%g ahea', she e.(resse' her +!sh
"or 7a%e; 3I ho(e that she5** gro+ $( to &e ha((!er tha% #e. I ho(e that she +!** hae a &etter #arr!age a%' )h!*'re%
+ho she5** *oe.3 For herse*", she as,e' that +e re#e#&er her as 3so#eo%e +ho ha' )ha%ge'.3
Gre,
0!th!% the "!rst +ee,s o" o$r %e+ (rogra# +e +ere as,e' to #a,e a% $rge%t )a** a%' a% assess#e%t o" Greg, the%
F #o%ths o*'. H!s CA> year:o*' #other, A%%!e, re"$se' to )are "or h!#. She ao!'e' (hys!)a* )o%ta)t +!th the &a&y9
she o"te% "orgot to &$y #!*, "or h!#, a%' she "e' h!# Goo*:A!' a%' Ta%g. She t$r%e' oer the &a&y5s )are to her CH:
year> o*' h$s&a%', Ear*.
A%%!e5s "a#!*y ha' &ee% ,%o+% to so)!a* age%)!es !% o$r )o##$%!ty "or three ge%erat!o%s. De*!%6$e%)y,
(ro#!s)$!ty, )h!*' a&$se, %eg*e)t, (oerty, s)hoo* "a!*$re, (sy)hos!s ha' &ro$ght eery #e#&er o" the "a#!*y to o$r
)o##$%!ty )*!%!)s a%' )o$rts. A%%!e Beyer at CA %o+ re(rese%te' the th!r' ge%erat!o% o" #others !% her "a#!*y +ho
a)t$a**y or (sy)ho*og!)a**y a&a%'o%e' the!r &a&!es. A%%!e5s #other ha' s$rre%'ere' the )are o" her )h!*'re% to
others. As '!' her #other. A%' !t +as, !% "a)t, Greg5s gra%'#other, A%%!e5s #other, +ho )a**e' o$r age%)y "or he*(.
She sa!', 3I 'o%5t +a%t to see +hat ha((e%e' to #e a%' #y &a&!es ha((e% to A%%!e a%' her &a&y.3
V!!a% Sha(!ro o" o$r sta"" )a**e' "or a% a((o!%t#e%t a%' #a'e a ho#e !s!t !##e'!ate*y. Mother, "ather, a%' Greg
+ere (rese%t. Mrs. Sha(!ro +as greete' &y a )o*' a%' s!*e%t*y host!*e a'o*es)e%t #other, a sa', &e+!*'ere' &oy +ho
+as the "ather, a%' a so*e#% &a&y +ho %eer o%)e !% that ho$r *oo,e' at h!s #other. Greg +as 'ee*o(#e%ta**y
12
a'e6$ate "or h!s age, Mrs. Sha(!ro est!#ate', a%' her !#(ress!o%s +ere *ater s$sta!%e' &y o$r 'ee*o(#e%ta* test!%g.
Th!s s(o,e "or so#e #!%!#$# a'e6$a)y !% )are, a%' +e ha' goo' reaso% to &e*!ee that !t +as Ear*, the "ather, +ho
+as (ro!'!%g #ost o" Greg5s )are. At %ear*y eery (o!%t !% the o%e:ho$r sess!o% +he% Greg re6$!re' )are, A%%!e
s$##o%e' her h$s&a%' or (!),e' $( the &a&y a%' gae h!# to h!s "ather. He sett*e' )o#"orta&*y +!th h!s "ather a%',
"or "ather, there +ere s#!*es.
D$r!%g #ost o" th!s sess!o%, a%' "or #a%y others that "o**o+e', A%%!e sat s*$#(e' !% a )ha!r. She +as o&ese,
$%,e#(t, a%' her "a)e reg!stere' %o e#ot!o%. It +as a #as, +h!)h Mrs. Sha(!ro +as to see #a%y t!#es, &$t +he%
A%%!e &ro$ght herse*" to s(ea,, there +as &are*y )o%tro**e' rage !% her o!)e.
She '!' %ot +a%t o$r he*(. There +as %oth!%g +ro%g +!th her or her )h!*'. She a))$se' her #other o" a )o%s(!ra)y
aga!%st her a%', !% her #!%', Mrs. Sha(!ro +as (art o" +as to &e)o#e o$r #ost ar'$o$s thera(e$t!) tas, o" those "!rst
+ee,s. To #a!%ta!% the tr$st, a"ter !t +as g!e%, +as e6$a**y '!""!)$*t. It +as a great a'a%tage to Mrs. Sha(!ro, as !t
has &ee% "or a** o" $s, to hae )o#e to th!s +or, +!th &roa' )*!%!)a* e.(er!e%)e +!th )h!*'re% a%' a'o*es)e%ts. A%
a'o*es)e%t g!r* +ho 'e"!es her +o$*':&e he*(ers, +ho )ha**e%ges, (roo,es, tests #er)!*ess*y, &rea,s a((o!%t#e%ts,
'!sa((ears to a%other a''ress, +!** %ot )a$se a% e.(er!e%)e' so)!a* +or,er to t$r% a ha!r. Mrs. Sha(!ro )o$*' +a!t to
ear% A%%!e5s tr$st. B$t there +as a &a&y !% (er!*, a%' +!th!% o%*y a "e+ !s!ts, +e $%'erstoo' ho+ great the (er!* +as.
0e &ega% +!th the 6$est!o% to o$rse*es, 30hy 'oes A%%!e ao!' to$)h!%g a%' ho*'!%g her &a&y/3 To "!%' the
a%s+ers, +e +o$*' %ee' to ,%o+ #ore a&o$t A%%!e tha% she +as +!**!%g to g!e !% those ear*y host!*e ho$rs. A%'
a*+ays there +as Greg, +hose o+% %ee's +ere !#(erat!e, a%' +ho )o$*' %ot +a!t "or h!s tee%age #other to #a,e
the thera(e$t!) a**!a%)e, +h!)h !s s*o+:(a)e' !% a'o*es)e%)e. It +as s$re*y %ot !g%ora%)e o" the %ee's o" &a&!es that
'!sta%)e' A%%!e "ro# her )h!*'. Do)tors a%' ($&*!) hea*th %$rses ha' g!e% +!se )o$%se* &e"ore +e eer #et the
Beyer "a#!*y. She )o$*' %ot $se the goo' a'!)e.
AN ILL*MINA%ING &!*R
I% the s!.th ho#e !s!t, so#eth!%g o" the thera(!st5s )ar!%g "or A%%!e as a *o%e*y a%' "r!ghte%e' )h!*' )a#e thro$gh.
A%%!e &ega% to s(ea, o" herse*". It #a'e her a%gry, she sa!' +ar!*y, +he% her h$s&a%', +he% (eo(*e, tho$ght she
+as%5t 'o!%g e%o$gh "or her &a&y. She ,%e+ she +as. A%y+ay, she sa!', she ha' %eer *!,e' ho*'!%g a &a&y ery
#$)h ... eer s!%)e she +as a *!tt*e g!r*. 0he% she +as *!tt*e, she ha' ha' to ta,e )are o" her yo$%ger s!ster. She +o$*'
&e g!e% the &a&y a%' to*' to ho*' her. She #$)h (re"erre' *ea!%g the &a&y o% the )o$)h.
A%' the%, *e' o% &y ta)t"$* 6$est!o%s, she &ega% to s(ea, o" her )h!*'hoo'. 0e hear' a&o$t A%%!e, as a H:year:o*'
g!r*, res(o%s!&*e "or the )*ea%!%g, )oo,!%g, a%' )are o" other s!&*!%gs2a"ter s)hoo* ho$rs. For a%y %eg*!ge%)e !%
'$t!es, there +ere &eat!%gs "ro# her ste("ather, Mr. Bragg.
A%%!e s(o,e o" her )h!*'hoo' !% a "*at, '$** o!)e, +!th o%*y a% e'ge o" &!tter%ess !% !t. She re#e#&ere' eeryth!%g,
!% )h!**!%g 'eta!*. A%' +hat A%%!e to*' the thera(!st +as %ot a "a%tasy a%' +as %ot '!storte', s!%)e the story o"
13
A%%!e5s "a#!*y ha' &ee% "a)t$a**y re)or'e' &y (rote)t!e age%)!es a%' )*!%!)s thro$gho$t her )o##$%!ty. There +as
the #other +ho (er!o'!)a**y 'eserte' her "a#!*y. There +as the "ather +ho '!e' +he% A%%!e +as 8 years o*'. A%'
there +as Mr. Bragg, the ste("ather, a*)oho*!), (ro&a&*y (sy)hot!). For tr!!a* #!s'e#ea%ors he 'ragge' A%%!e o"" to
the +oo'she' a%' &eat her +!th a *ath.
0he% Mrs. Sha(!ro s(o,e to the "ee*!%gs o" A%%!e as a )h!*', o" a%ger, "ear, he*(*ess%ess, A%%!e +ar'e' o"" these
sy#(athet!) oert$res. She *a$ghe' )y%!)a**y. She +as to$gh. Her s!ster M!**!e a%' she got so they +o$*' 4$st *a$gh
at the o*' #a% +he% !t +as oer.
I% th!s sess!o%, !% the #!'st o" A%%!e5s "a)t$a* a))o$%t o" )h!*'hoo' horrors, Greg &ega% a "ret"$* )ry, %ee'!%g
atte%t!o%. A%%!e +e%t to the &e'roo# a%' &ro$ght h!# &a), +!th her. For the "!rst t!#e !% s!. !s!ts Mrs. Sha(!ro sa+
A%%!e ho*' Greg )*ose*y )$''*e' !% her ar#s.
Th!s +as the #o#e%t Mrs. Sha(!ro ha' &ee% +a!t!%g "or. It +as the s!g%, (erha(s, that !" A%%!e )o$*' s(ea, o" her
)h!*'hoo' s$""er!%gs, she )o$*' #oe (rote)t!e*y to+ar' her &a&y.
The &a&y )*$t)he' h!s #other5s ha!r as she &e%t oer h!#. A%%!e, st!** ha*" !% the (ast a%' ha*" !% the (rese%t, sa!'
#$s!%g*y, 3O%)e #y ste("ather )$t #y ha!r to here,3 a%' (o!%te' to her ears. 3It +as a ($%!sh#e%t &e)a$se I +as
&a'.3 0he% Mrs. Sha(!ro sa!', 3That #$st hae &ee% terr!&*e "or yo$<3 A%%!e, "or the "!rst t!#e, a),%o+*e'ge'
"ee*!%gs. 3It +as terr!&*e. I )r!e' "or three 'ays a&o$t !t.3
At th!s (o!%t, A%%!e &ega% to ta*, to the &a&y. She to*' h!# he +as s#e**y a%' %ee'e' to &e )ha%ge'. 0h!*e A%%!e
+as )ha%g!%g h!#, Greg see#e' to &e *oo,!%g "or so#eth!%g to (*ay +!th. There +as a toy &es!'e h!# o% the )o$)h.
It +as, o" a** th!%gs, a toy (*ast!) ha##er. A%%!e (!),e' $( the toy ha##er a%' ta((e' !t, ge%t*y, aga!%st the &a&y5s
hea'. The% she sa!', 3I5# go%%a &eat yo$. I5# go%%a &eat yo$<3 Her o!)e +as teas!%g, &$t Mrs. Sha(!ro se%se' the
o#!%o$s !%te%t!o% !% these +or's. A%' +h!*e st!** reg!ster!%g, as thera(!st, the reea*e' #o#e%t, Mrs. Sha(!ro hear'
A%%!e say to her &a&y, 30he% yo$ gro+ $(, I #!ght ,!** yo$.3
It +as the )*ose o" the sess!o%. Mrs. Sha(!ro sa!' those th!%gs that +o$*' 6$!et the t$r&$*e%)e !% A%%!e, s$((ort!%g
the (os!t!e str!!%gs to+ar' #otherhoo', a**y!%g herse*" +!th those (arts o" the ego o" th!s g!r*:#other that so$ght
(rote)t!o% aga!%st the 'a%gero$s !#($*ses.
B$t th!s, +e ,%e+, as +e ta*,e' together !% a% e#erge%)y sess!o% &a), at the o""!)e, +o$*' %ot &e e%o$gh to (rote)t
the &a&y "ro# h!s #other. I" A%%!e ha' to re*y $(o% her thera(!st as a% a$.!*!ary ego, she +o$*' %ee' to hae her
thera(!st !% )o%sta%t atte%'a%)e.
AN EMERGEN( (LINI(AL (!N)EREN(E
The 6$est!o% +as, ho+ )o$*' +e he*( A%%!e a%' her &a&y/ 0e %o+ ,%e+ +hy A%%!e +as a"ra!' to &e )*ose to her
&a&y. She +as a"ra!' o" her o+% 'estr$)t!e "ee*!%gs to+ar' h!#. B$t +e ha' rea' these s!g%s "ro# the &rea,thro$gh
14
o" $%)o%s)!o$s !#($*ses !% the tease ga#es +!th the &a&y. 0e )o$*' %ot !%ter(ret sa'!st!) !#($*ses +h!)h +ere %ot
yet )o%s)!o$s to A%%!e herse*". I" +e )oo(erate' +!th the ego to #a!%ta!% these sa'!st!) !#($*ses !% re(ress!o%, A%%!e
+o$*' hae to '!sta%)e herse*" "ro# her &a&y. A%' the &a&y +as o$r (at!e%t too. O$r #ost $*%era&*e (at!e%t.
0e +ere atte%t!e to s#a** (os!t!e s!g%s !% th!s sess!o%. A"ter ta*,!%g a&o$t her )h!*'hoo' terrors, ee% tho$gh the
a""e)t +as "*at !% the te**!%g, A%%!e '!' (!), $( her &a&y a%' ho*' h!# )*ose a%' )$''*e h!#. A%' th!s +as the "!rst
t!#e +e ha' see% )*ose%ess &et+ee% #other a%' &a&y !% s!. sess!o%s. I" A%%!e )o$*' re#e#&er a%' s(ea, o" her
)h!*'hoo' s$""er!%g, )o$*' +e o(e% (ath+ays +h!)h +o$*' "ree her &a&y "ro# her o+% (ast a%' e%a&*e her to #other
Greg/ I" A%%!e )o$*' &e he*(e' to e.a#!%e her "ee*!%gs to+ar' the &a&y, !" +e )o$*' e*!)!t the $%s(ea,a&*e tho$ghts,
+o$*' A%%!e &e a&*e to rea)h o$t to her &a&y/
Fro# the sta%'(o!%t o" a% e.er)!se !% ($re theory a%' #etho', +e +ere (ro&a&*y o% the r!ght tra), !% o$r th!%,!%g.
The )ase )o%s!'erat!o%s +ere 'er!e' "ro# (sy)hoa%a*yt!) e.(er!e%)e. B$t th!s +as %ot a (sy)hoa%a*ys!s. As
(sy)hoa%a*yt!) )o%s$*ta%t, Se*#a Fra!&erg re)a**s that she s$''e%*y "o$%' herse*" &ere"t o" a** the )o%'!t!o%s a%' the
(rote)t!o%s aga!%st error +h!)h are &$!*t !%to the (sy)hoa%a*yt!) s!t$at!o%.
F!rst o" a**, the )o%'!t!o%s o" th!s thera(y o% &eha*" o" a &a&y a%' h!s a'o*es)e%t #other #a'e !t !#(erat!e to #oe
6$!),*y to (rote)t the &a&y. U%'er a** %or#a* )!r)$#sta%)es !% thera(y, +e &e*!ee !% )a$t!o$s e.(*orat!o%; a%
assess#e%t o" the ego5s )a(a)!ty to 'ea* +!th (a!%"$* a""e)ts, a% assess#e%t o" the 'e"e%s!e str$)t$re o" the (at!e%t.
A*so, as e.(er!e%)e' thera(!sts +!th a'o*es)e%ts, +e ,%e+ that to +!% the tr$st o" th!s host!*e g!r* #!ght eas!*y ta,e
#o%ths o" +or,. A%' the &a&y +as !% !##e'!ate 'a%ger.
0e +ere atte%t!e to the 'e"e%ses aga!%st (a!%"$* a""e)t +h!)h +e sa+ !% A%%!e. She re#e#&ere', "a)t$a**y, the
e.(er!e%)es o" )h!*'hoo' a&$se. 0hat she '!' %ot re#e#&er +as her s$""er!%g. 0o$*' the *!&erat!o% o" a""e)t !%
thera(y !%)rease the *!,e*!hoo' o" a)t!%g o$t to+ar' the &a&y or +o$*' !t 'e)rease the r!s,s/ A"ter thoro$gh
'!s)$ss!o% o" a*ter%at!es, +e 'e)!'e', +!th #$)h tre(!'at!o%, that the )ha%)es o" a)t!%g o$t to+ar' the &a&y +o$*'
&e greater !" the a%.!ety a%' rage +ere %ot e*!)!te' !% treat#e%t. Se*#a Fra!&erg re)a**s; 3S(ea,!%g "or #yse*", I )*$%g
to the &e*!e" that !t !s the (are%t +ho )a%%ot re#e#&er h!s )h!*'hoo' "ee*!%gs o" (a!% a%' a%.!ety +ho +!** %ee' to
!%"*!)t h!s (a!% $(o% h!s )h!*'. A%' the% I tho$ght; 5B$t +hat !" I a# +ro%g/35
The% +e +o$*' a*so &e )o%"ro%te' +!th a%other thera(e$t!) (ro&*e# !% th!s o%)e:a:+ee, (sy)hothera(y. I" +e
+or,e' +!th!% the rea*# o" &$r!e' a""e)ts, +e )o$*' (re'!)t that the thera(!st +ho )o%4$res $( the ghosts +!** &e
e%'o+e' !% tra%s"ere%)e +!th the "earso#e attr!&$tes o" the ghost. 0e +o$*' hae to &e (re(are' "or the tra%s"ere%)e
ghosts a%' #eet the# s6$are*y eery ste( o" the +ay.
As +e re!e+e' these )o%"ere%)e %otes o%e year *ater, +e +ere sat!s"!e' that o$r treat#e%t "or#$*at!o%s ha' stoo' $(
+e** !% the (ra)t!)a* test. 0e %o+ ,%o+, thro$gh the (rogress o" o$r treat#e%t, that the #a!% *!%es o" the +or, +ere
+e** )o%s!'ere'.
B$t %o+ +e sha** hae to ta,e yo$ +!th $s o% a 'eto$r "ro# the treat#e%t that t$r%e' o$t to &e as !#(orta%t "or the
o$t)o#e as the (sy)hothera(e$t!) (*a%.
15
Be"ore a%y (art o" th!s treat#e%t (*a% )o$*' &e ($t !%to e""e)t, A%%!e too, "*!ght "ro# the thera(!st.
ANNIE L!(-# %&E .!!R: A )LIG&% )R!M %REA%MEN%
Yo$ re#e#&er that o$r e#erge%)y )o%"ere%)e ha' "o**o+e' the )r!t!)a* s!.th sess!o% !%ter!e+ !% +h!)h A%%!e
&ega% to s(ea, o" her )h!*'hoo' &eat!%gs. The see%th sess!o% +as a ho#e !s!t !% +h!)h a %$#&er o" A%%!e5s
re*at!es )a#e to !s!t, a%' there +as %o o((ort$%!ty to s(ea, +!th A%%!e a*o%e. I% the e!ghth sess!o%, Mrs. Sha(!ro
arra%ge' to s(ea, +!th &oth A%%!e a%' Ear* a&o$t )o%t!%$!%g !s!ts a%' to !%!te the# to ra!se 6$est!o%s +!th her
a&o$t ho+ +e #!ght &est &e a&*e to he*( the Beyers. Ear* sa!' e#(hat!)a**y that he +a%te' Mrs. Sha(!ro to )o%t!%$e
!s!t!%g the#. He sa!' that he "e*t Mrs. Sha(!ro +as he*(!%g the# to see th!%gs a&o$t Greg5s 'ee*o(#e%t that they
+o$*' %eer hae &ee% a&*e to see the#se*es. A%%!e re#a!%e' s!*e%t. The%, +he% Mrs. Sha(!ro !%6$!re' a&o$t
A%%!e5s +!shes, A%%!e sa!', +!th so#e hes!tat!o%, that she +o$*' *!,e Mrs. Sha(!ro to )o%t!%$e to )o#e. She +o$*'
*!,e to &e a&*e to ta*, a&o$t the &a&y a%' a&o$t herse*".
I% th!s ho$r A%%!e herse*" (!),e' $( the %arrat!e +h!)h ha' &eg$% !% the s!.th sess!o%. She &ega%, ho+eer, &y
s(ea,!%g o" her "ears that Ear* 'r!es too "ast, that he #!ght hae a% a))!'e%t. A )h!*' %ee'e' a "ather. Greg %ee'e' a
"ather. Th!s *e' her to s(ea, o" her o+% "ather, her %at$ra* "ather, +!th so#e a""e)t!o%. A"ter her "ather '!e' +he%
A%%!e +as 8 years o*', %o&o'y eer rea**y )are' "or her. There ha' &ee% seera* #e% !% the ho$seho*' +ho *!e'
+!th A%%!e5s #other. There +ere s!. )h!*'re%, &or% to "o$r '!""ere%t "athers. M!**!e +as her #other5s "aor!te. A%%!e
sa!' &!tter*y, 3They '!'%5t +a%t #e. I '!'%5t +a%t the#. I '!'%5t %ee' a%y&o'y.3 She s(o,e aga!% o" Mr. Bragg a%' the
&eat!%gs. At "!rst she $se' to )ry, &$t he +o$*'%5t sto(. The% *ater, she +o$*' *a$gh, &e)a$se !t '!'%5t h$rt a%y #ore.
He &eat her +!th a *ath. He +o$*' &eat her $%t!* the *ath &ro,e.
A"ter her "ather '!e', A%%!e5s #other '!sa((eare'. She +e%t to +or, !% a%other )!ty, *ea!%g the )h!*'re% +!th a% o*'
+o#a%. To ($%!sh the )h!*'re%, the o*' +o#a% *o),e' the# o$t o" the ho$se. She re#e#&ere' o%e %!ght +he% she
a%' M!**!e +ere *o),e' o$t !% the "ree-!%g )o*' a%' h$''*e' together. Her #other %eer see#e' to ,%o+ +hat +as
go!%g o%. Ee% +he% she ret$r%e' to her "a#!*y, she +e%t to +or,, a%' ee% +he% she +as%5t +or,!%g, she '!'%5t
see# to &e aro$%'.
To a** th!s Mrs. Sha(!ro *!ste%e' +!th great sy#(athy. She s(o,e o" a )h!*'5s %ee' "or (rote)t!o%. Ho+ "r!ghte%!%g to
a )h!*' to hae %o o%e to (rote)t her. Ho+ #$)h A%%!e #!sse' her #other a%' a #other5s (rote)t!o%. Perha(s she
+o$*' &e a '!""ere%t ,!%' o" #other to Greg. 0o$*' she "ee* she ha' to (rote)t h!#/ 3O" )o$rse,3 A%%!e re(*!e'.
A%' ery ge%t*y, Mrs. Sha(!ro s(o,e o" the 'ee( $%ha((!%ess a%' *o%e*!%ess !% A%%!e5s )h!*'hoo', a%' ho+ '!""!)$*t
!t +as to &e a yo$%g #other +ho ha' #!sse' so #$)h !% her o+% )h!*'hoo'. Together, Mrs. Sha(!ro a%' A%%!e
+o$*' ta*, a&o$t these th!%gs !% the!r "$t$re !s!ts.
16
It +as, Mrs. Sha(!ro "e*t, a goo' !s!t; )*ar!"!)at!o% o" the ro*e o" the thera(!st, a% a),%o+*e'g#e%t that A%%!e a%'
Ear* +a%te' he*( "or the#se*es a%' "or the!r &a&y. For A%%!e, the &eg!%%!%g o" the (er#!ss!o% to "ee* a*o%g +!th
re#e#&er!%g. A (er#!ss!o% that she +as %ot yet rea'y to ta,e. B$t th!s +o$*' )o#e.
A%' the%, "o**o+!%g th!s !s!t, A%%!e re"$se' to see Mrs. Sha(!ro. There +ere %$#ero$s &ro,e% a((o!%t#e%ts.
A((o!%t#e%ts +o$*' &e #a'e, &$t A%%!e +o$*' %ot &e at ho#e. Or Mrs. Sha(!ro +o$*' arr!e, +!th a** s!g%s o"
a)t!!ty !% the ho$se, a%' A%%!e +o$*' re"$se to a%s+er the 'oor. A%%!e *!tera**y *o),e' the 'oor aga!%st Mrs.
Sha(!ro.
It +as %o )o%so*at!o% '$r!%g a (er!o' *!,e th!s to $%'ersta%' the %at$re o" tra%s"ere%)e res!sta%)e +h!*e the (at!e%t
&arr!)a'es the 'oor aga!%st the thera(!st. It !s "ar +orse to ,%o+ that there are t+o (at!e%ts &eh!%' the 'oor a%' that
o%e o" the# !s a &a&y.
As the #e#or!es o" )h!*'hoo' terrors e#erge' !% that *ast sess!o%, the or!g!%a* a""e)ts #$st hae e#erge'2%ot !% the
treat#e%t ho$r, &$t a"ter+ar'2a%' the thera(!st &e)a#e the re(rese%tat!e o" "ears that )o$*' %ot &e %a#e'. A%%!e
'!' %ot re#e#&er or e.(er!e%)e her a%.!ety '$r!%g the &r$ta* &ear!%gs &y Mr. Bragg, &$t a%.!ety atta)he' !tse*" to the
(erso% o" the thera(!st, a%' A%%!e too, "*!ght. A%%!e '!' %ot re#e#&er the terror o" &e!%g *o),e' o$t o" the ho$se &y
the +o#a% +ho )are' "or her +he% her #other 'eserte' the "a#!*y, a%' to #a,e s$re that she +o$*' %ot re#e#&er,
the ghosts a%' the ego )o%s(!re' to *o), Mrs. Sha(!ro o$t o" the ho$se. A%%!e '!' %ot re#e#&er the terror o"
a&a%'o%#e%t &y her #other, &$t she ree%a)te' the e.(er!e%)e !% tra%s"ere%)e, )reat!%g the )o%'!t!o%s $%'er +h!)h
the thera(!st #!ght hae to a&a%'o% her.
0e +ere, o$rse*es, %ear*y he*(*ess. B$t th!s !s %ot to say that the (sy)hoa%a*yt!) !%s!ght +as +!tho$t a*$e. To
$%'ersta%' a** th!s gae $s a #eas$re o" )o%tro* !% the )o$%tertra%s"ere%)e. 0e +ere %ot go!%g to a&a%'o% A%%!e a%'
her &a&y. 0e $%'erstoo' the s$""er!%g &eh!%' the (roo)at!e, to$gh, a%' !%so*e%t a'o*es)e%t (ost$re, a%' )o$*'
res(o%' to the a%.!ety a%' %ot the 'e"e%se.
The o%*y th!%g +e *a),e' +as a (at!e%t +ho )o$*' &e%e"!t "ro# the !%s!ght. A%' there +as the &a&y +ho +as #ore
!#(er!*e' tha% h!s #other.
D$r!%g the t+o:#o%th (er!o' !% +h!)h Mrs. Sha(!ro +as *o),e' o$t o" the ho$se, re(orts "ro# gra%'(are%ts, !s!t!%g
%$rse, a%' others !%)rease' o$r a*ar#. A%%!e sho+e' (ho&!) sy#(to#s. She +as a"ra!' to &e a*o%e !% the ho$se. A%'
she +as (reg%a%t aga!%. Greg *oo,e' %eg*e)te'. He +as s$""er!%g "ro# re)$rre%t $((er res(!ratory !**%ess a%' +as
%ot re)e!!%g #e'!)a* )are. The (ater%a* gra%'(are%ts +ere a*ar#e' "or Greg a%' re(orte' to Mrs. Sha(!ro that
A%%!e +as (*ay!%g ro$gh ga#es +!th Greg, s+!%g!%g h!# "ro# h!s a%,*es.
O$r o+% a*ar# "or Greg &ro$ght $s to a (a!%"$* 'e)!s!o%. I% o$r hos(!ta* a%' !% o$r )o##$%!ty +e are eth!)a**y a%'
*ega**y &o$%' to re(ort )ases o" %eg*e)t a%' s$s(e)te' or a)t$a* a&$se to Prote)t!e Ser!)es. I% a )ase +here
treat#e%t a*ter%at!es are re4e)te' &y the "a#!*y ?as !% A%%!e5s )ase@ the re(ort !s #a%'atory. The *a+ !s +!se, &$t !%
the e.er)!se o" o$r *ega* res(o%s!&!*!ty +e +o$*' &r!%g st!** a%other trage'y to the Beyer "a#!*y.
17
Th!s +as a )r!t!)a* #o#e%t, %ot o%*y "or the "a#!*y &$t "or Mrs. Sha(!ro a%' "or o$r e%t!re sta"". There !s %o greater
!ro%y "or the )*!%!)!a% tha% that !% +h!)h he (ossesses the ,%o+*e'ge a%' the #etho's to (ree%t a trage'y a%'
)a%%ot &r!%g th!s he*( to those +ho %ee' !t. 1*!%!)a**y s(ea,!%g, the so*$t!o% to the (ro&*e# res!'e' !% the
tra%s"ere%)e res!sta%)e. E.(*orat!o% o" the %egat!e tra%s"ere%)e +!th A%%!e +o$*' (ree%t "$rther a)t!%g o$t. 0e a**
,%o+ ho+ to 'ea* +!th tra%s"ere%)e ghosts !% a% o""!)e +!th a (at!e%t +ho g!es ee% gr$'g!%g )oo(erat!o% +!th o$r
#etho'. Ho+ 'o +e 'ea* +!th the %egat!e tra%s"ere%)e +he% the (at!e%t has *o),e' herse*" !% a ho$se +!th her &a&y
a%' the!r ghosts a%' +!** %ot a%s+er the 'oor/
The )o%s!'erat!o%s "or Greg +ere (ara#o$%t %o+. Mrs. Sha(!ro +a%te' to (re(are A%%!e a%' Ear* "or the (a!%"$*
a*ter%at!e +h!)h *ay &e"ore $s, a re"erra* to Prote)t!e Ser!)es. B$t A%%!e re"$se' to a%s+er the 'oor +he% Mrs.
Sha(!ro )a**e'.
As a sa' a*ter%at!e, Mrs. Sha(!ro (re(are' a *etter +h!)h +as se%t to A%%!e a%' Ear* a%' to &oth sets o"
gra%'(are%ts. It +as a *etter +h!)h s(o,e "or o$r )o%)er% a%' 'ee( )ar!%g "or &oth o" the yo$%g (are%ts a%' "or the!r
&a&y. It )!te' the #a%y atte#(ts +e ha' #a'e to rea)h the "a#!*y +!th o$r he*( a%' o$r +!sh, st!**, to he*( th!s yo$%g
"a#!*y. I" they "e*t +e )o$*' %ot he*( the#, +e +o$*' %ee' to see, he*( "or the# e*se+here, a%' +e +o$*' re6$est
the he*( o" Prote)t!e Ser!)es. A re(*y +as re6$este' +!th!% the +ee,.
0e *ear%e' +!th!% a "e+ 'ays o" the !#(a)t o" th!s *etter o% A%%!e a%' Ear* a%' the gra%'(are%ts. A%%!e )r!e' "or the
e%t!re +ee,e%'. She +as a%gry at Mrs. Sha(!ro. She +as "r!ghte%e'. B$t o% Mo%'ay she )a**e' Mrs. Sha(!ro. Her
o!)e +as e.ha$ste', &$t she #a%age' to say that eeryth!%g !% Mrs. Sha(!ro5s *etter +as tr$e. She +o$*' see Mrs.
Sha(!ro.
E/%EN.E. %REA%MEN%
Th!s +as the &eg!%%!%g o" a %e+ re*at!o%sh!( &et+ee% A%%!e a%' Ear* a%' Mrs. Sha(!ro. Ste( &y ste(, Mrs. Sha(!ro
'ea*t +!th A%%!e5s '!str$st, her a%ger to+ar' Mrs. Sha(!ro a%' a** 3he*(!%g (eo(*e,3 a%' )*ar!"!e' her o+% ro*e as a
he*(!%g (erso%. Mrs. Sha(!ro +as o% the s!'e o" A%%!e a%' Ear* a%' Greg a%' +a%te' to 'o eeryth!%g (oss!&*e to
he*( the#2to "!%' the goo' th!%gs they +a%te' a%' 'esere' !% *!"e, a%' to g!e Greg a** the th!%gs he %ee'e' to
&e)o#e a hea*thy a%' ha((y )h!*'.
For A%%!e, the re*at!o%sh!( +!th Mrs. Sha(!ro &e)a#e a %e+ e.(er!e%)e, $%*!,e a%yth!%g she ha' ,%o+%. Mrs.
Sha(!ro &ega%, o" )o$rse, &y 'ea*!%g o(e%*y +!th the a%ger +h!)h A%%!e ha' "e*t to+ar' her, a%' she #a'e !t sa"e "or
A%%!e to ($t a%ger !%to +or's. I% a "a#!*y (atter% +here a%ger a%' #$r'ero$s rage +ere "$se', A%%!e ha' o%*y &ee%
a&*e to 'ea* +!th a%ger thro$gh "*!ght or !'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th the aggressor. I% the "a#!*y theater, a%ger to+ar' the
#other a%' 'esert!o% &y the #other +ere !%ter*o),!%g the#es. B$t A%%!e *ear%e' that she )o$*' "ee* a%ger a%'
a),%o+*e'ge a%ger to+ar' her thera(!st, a%' her thera(!st +o$*' %ot reta*!ate a%' +o$*' %ot a&a%'o% her.
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It +as sa"e to e.(er!e%)e a%ger !% tra%s"ere%)e to the thera(!st, a%' +!th!% th!s (rote)te' re*at!o%sh!( the (ath+ays o"
a%ger *e' &a), to )h!*'hoo' gr!e"s a%' terrors. It +as %ot a% easy (ath "or A%%!e. Yes, she a),%o+*e'ge' !% a sess!o%
soo% a"ter Mrs. Sha(!ro &ega% !s!t!%g aga!%, yes, she ha' "e*t &a' a&o$t the thera(!st )o#!%g to see her. Yes, she
rese%te' her. 3B$t +hat5s the $se o" ta*,!%g/ I a*+ays ,e(t th!%gs to #yse*". I +a%t to "orget. I 'o%5t +a%t to th!%,.3
Mrs. Sha(!ro, +!th "$** sy#(athy "or A%%!e5s s$""er!%g a%' the %ee' to "orget, '!s)$sse' +!th A%%!e ho+ try!%g to
"orget '!' %ot get r!' o" the "ee*!%gs or the #e#or!es. A%%!e +o$*' o%*y &e a&*e to #a,e (ea)e +!th her "ee*!%gs &y
ta*,!%g a&o$t the# to Mrs. Sha(!ro. Together, thro$gh ta*,!%g, the thera(!st +o$*' &e a&*e to he*( A%%!e "ee* &etter.
A%%!e '!' %ot re(*y !% +or's. At th!s (o!%t !% the sess!o% she (!),e' $( Greg a%' he*' h!# ery )*ose, ro),!%g h!# !%
her ar#s. B$t the te%s!o% +!th!% her +as tra%s#!tte' to Greg9 she +as ho*'!%g h!# too t!ght*y a%' the &a&y &ega% to
(rotest. Yet +e ha' see% A%%!e rea)h spontaneously "or her &a&y, a%' th!s +as a "aora&*e s!g%. ?Hera+,+ar'%ess
+as to '!#!%!sh oer t!#e, a%' +e +ere *ater to +!t%ess a gro+!%g (*eas$re !% (hys!)a* !%t!#a)y +!th her &a&y.@
I% s$))ess!e sess!o%s, A%%!e too, the (er#!ss!o% to s(ea, o" her "ee*!%gs. A%' the story o" )h!*'hoo' (r!at!o%s, o"
&r$ta*!ty a%' %eg*e)t, &ega% to e#erge o%)e aga!%, as !" the %arrat!e &eg$% t+o #o%ths ago )o$*' %o+ &e res$#e'.
B$t th!s t!#e Mrs. Sha(!ro ,%e+ +hat ha' )a$se' A%%!e to ta,e "*!ght "ro# treat#e%t t+o #o%ths ago, a%' her o+%
!%s!ght )o$*' &e e#(*oye' !% a #etho' +h!)h +o$*' (ree%t "*!ght or a)t!%g o$t a%' +o$*' $*t!#ate*y *ea' to
reso*$t!o%. It +as %ot the te**!%g o" the ta*es +h!)h ha' )a$se' A%%!e to ta,e "*!ght, &$t the $%s(o,e% a""e)t +h!)h ha'
&ee% #a!%ta!%e' !% !so*at!o% "ro# the #e#or!es. A%%!e, yo$ re#e#&er, ha' 'es)r!&e' her ste("ather5s &eat!%gs !%
e.a)t a%' )h!**!%g 'eta!*, &$t the a""e)t +as !so*ate'. She *a$ghe' )y%!)a**y thro$gho$t that ear*y sess!o%. So#e+here
&et+ee% the "a)t$a* re(ort!%g o" &eat!%gs a%' %eg*e)t a%' the "*!ght "ro# Mrs. Sha(!ro, a""e)t +h!)h ha' &ee%
#a!%ta!%e' !% (art!a* re(ress!o% ha' e#erge', a%' a%ger, "ear, s!#(*e terror so$ght a% o&4e)t, a %a#e "or !tse*", a%'
the %a#e +as Mrs. Sha(!ro.
Th!s t!#e, +!th the start o" treat#e%t, (ro(er*y s(ea,!%g, Mrs. Sha(!ro e*!)!te' a""e)t a*o%g +!th the te**!%g a%' #a'e
!t sa"e to re#e#&er. 0he% the story o" )h!*'hoo' horrors e#erge' %o+, Mrs. Sha(!ro o""ere' her o+% )o##e%tary.
3Ho+ "r!ghte%!%g to a )h!*'. Yo$ +ere o%*y a )h!*' the%. There +as %o o%e to (rote)t yo$. Eery )h!*' has a r!ght to
&e ta,e% )are o" a%' (rote)te'.3 A%' A%%!e sa!', +!th &!tter%ess, 3The #other !s s$((ose' to (rote)t the )h!*'re%. My
#other '!'%5t 'o that.3 There +as a re"ra!% !% these ear*y ho$rs +h!)h a((ears !% the re)or' aga!% a%' aga!%. 3I +as
h$rt. I +as h$rt. Eeryo%e !% #y "a#!*y !s !o*e%t.3 A%' the% a%other re"ra!%. 3I 'o%5t +a%t to h$rt a%y&o'y. I 'o%5t
+a%t to h$rt a%y&o'y.3 Mrs. Sha(!ro, *!ste%!%g atte%t!e*y, sa!', 3I ,%o+ yo$ 'o%5t +a%t to h$rt a%y&o'y. I ,%o+ ho+
#$)h yo$ hae s$""ere' a%' ho+ #$)h !t h$rt. As +e ta*, a&o$t yo$r "ee*!%gs, ee% tho$gh !t !s (a!%"$* to re#e#&er,
!t +!** &e (oss!&*e to "!%' +ays to )o#e to ter#s +!th so#e o" these th!%gs a%' to &e the ,!%' o" #other yo$ +a%t to
&e.3
A%%!e, +e sa+, got &oth s!'es o" the #essage. Mrs. Sha(!ro +as o% the s!'e o" the ego +h!)h 'e"e%'e' aga!%st the
$%)o%s)!o$s +!sh to h$rt a%' to re(eat the h$rts +!th her o+% )h!*'. At the sa#e t!#e, Mrs. Sha(!ro +as say!%g, !%
19
e""e)t, 3It +!** &e sa"e +!th #e to s(ea, o" the "r!ghte%!%g #e#or!es a%' tho$ghts, a%' +he% yo$ s(ea, o" the# yo$
+!** %o *o%ger %ee' to &e a"ra!' o" the#9 yo$ +!** hae a%other ,!%' o" )o%tro* oer the#.3
Mrs. Sha(!ro a*so a%t!)!(ate' +!th A%%!e the (oss!&!*!ty o" %egat!e tra%s"ere%)e "ee*!%gs that #!ght ar!se '$r!%g
sess!o%s +here (a!%"$* #e#or!es +o$*' &e re!e'. Mrs. Sha(!ro sa!' to A%%!e, 3It #ay &e that !% ta*,!%g a&o$t the
(ast, yo$ +!** "ee* a%gry to+ar' #e, +!tho$t ,%o+!%g +hy. Perha(s yo$ )o$*' te** #e +he% th!s ha((e%s, a%' +e )a%
try to $%'ersta%' ho+ yo$r "ee*!%gs !% the (rese%t are )o%%e)te' to #e#or!es !% the (ast.3
For A%%!e, ho+eer, !t +as %ot easy to te** a%yo%e she +as a%gry. A%' she res!ste' ($tt!%g !%to +or's her a""e)t, so
)*ear*y e!'e%t !% her "a)e a%' &o'y *a%g$age. 0he% Mrs. Sha(!ro as,e' A%%!e +hat she tho$ght Mrs. Sha(!ro #!ght
'o !" A%%!e &e)a#e a%gry +!th her, A%%!e sa!', 3So#et!#es I get )*ose to (eo(*e2the% I get #a'. 0he% I get #a'
they *eae.3 Mrs. Sha(!ro reass$re' A%%!e that she )o$*' a))e(t A%%!e5s a%gry "ee*!%gs a%' that she +o$*' %ot *eae.
0!th (er#!ss!o% %o+ to e.(ress a%ger, A%%!e5s rage e#erge' !% s$))ee'!%g sess!o%s, o"te% !% tra%s"ere%)e, a%' ery
s*o+*y a%ger to+ar' the o&4e)ts o" the (ast +as ree.(er!e%)e' a%' ($t !%to (ro(er (ers(e)t!e so that A%%!e )o$*'
re*ate to her (rese%t "a#!*y !% a *ess )o%"*!)te' +ay.
D$r!%g a** o" these sess!o%s, Mrs. Sha(!ro5s +at)h"$* eye +as $(o% Greg, a*+ays !% the roo#. 0o$*' the rage s(!**
oer a%' e%g$*" Greg/ B$t o%)e aga!%, as !% the )ase o" 7a%e, +e &e)a#e +!t%ess to e.traor'!%ary )ha%ges !% the
yo$%g #other5s re*at!o%sh!( to Greg. I% the #!'st o" a%ger a%' tears, as A%%!e s(o,e o" her o+% o((ress!e (ast, she
+o$*' a((roa)h Greg, (!), h!# $(, e%)*ose h!# !% her ar#s, a%' #$r#$r )o#"ort!%g th!%gs to h!#. 0e ,%e+ the%
that A%%!e +as %o *o%ger a"ra!' o" her 'estr$)t!e "ee*!%gs to+ar' the &a&y. The rage &e*o%ge' to the (ast, to other
"!g$res. A%' the (rote)t!e *oe to+ar' Greg, +h!)h %o+ &ega% to e#erge, s(o,e "or a #o#e%to$s sh!"t !% her
!'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th the &a&y. 0here &e"ore she +as !'e%t!"!e' +!th the aggressors o" her )h!*'hoo', she %o+ +as the
(rote)tor o" her &a&y, g!!%g h!# +hat ha' %ot &ee% g!e%, or rare*y g!e%, !% her o+% )h!*'hoo'. 3No&o'y,3 sa!'
A%%!e o%e 'ay, 3!s eer go!%g to h$rt #y )h!*' the +ay I hae &ee% h$rt.3
Mrs. Sha(!ro, !% her +or,, #oe' &a), a%' "orth &et+ee% the story o" A%%!e5s (ast a%' the (rese%t. She he*(e' A%%!e
see ho+ "ear o" the (are%ta* "!g$res o" her )h!*'hoo' ha' *e' her to !'e%t!"y +!th the!r "earso#e 6$a*!t!es. A%' as
A%%!e #oe' to+ar' a (rote)t!e re*at!o%sh!( +!th her o+% &a&y, Mrs. Sha(!ro "ort!"!e' ea)h o" these )ha%ges +!th
her o+% o&serat!o%s. So#et!#es, s(ea,!%g "or Greg, Mrs. Sha(!ro +o$*' say, 3Is%5t !t goo' to hae a #o##y +ho
,%o+s 4$st +hat yo$ %ee'/3 As Greg h!#se*", %o+ #o&!*e, &ega% to a((roa)h h!s #other #ore a%' #ore "or
a""e)t!o%, "or )o#"ort, "or )o#(a%y, Mrs. Sha(!ro 're+ A%%!e5s atte%t!o% to ea)h #oe. Greg, she (o!%te' o$t, +as
*ear%!%g to *oe a%' tr$st h!s #other, a%' a** o" th!s +as '$e to A%%!e a%' her $%'ersta%'!%g o" Greg. A%%!e +as
ho*'!%g Greg %o+, )ra'*!%g h!# (rote)t!e*y !% her ar#s. 0e sa+ %o #ore 3(*ay"$*3 threats o" &eat!%g a%' ,!**!%g,
s$)h as +e ha' +!t%esse' #o%ths ago. A%%!e +as "ee'!%g the &a&y a%' $s!%g Mrs. Sha(!ro5s ta)t"$* s$ggest!o%s !%
(ro!'!%g the e*e#e%ts o" goo' %$tr!t!o% !% the &a&y5s '!et.
I% th!s "a#!*y +!tho$t tra'!t!o%s !% )h!*' rear!%g, Mrs. Sha(!ro o"te% ha' to &e the ta)t"$* e'$)ator. I% A%%!e5s a%'
Ear*5s "a#!*!es, ee% a B> #o%th:o*' &a&y +as regar'e' as &e!%g )a(a&*e o" #a*!)e, ree%ge, a%' )$%%!%g. I" a &a&y
)r!e', he +as 3&e!%g s(!te"$*.3 I" he +as (ers!ste%t, he +as 3st$&&or%.3 I" he re"$se' to )o#(*y, he +as 3s(o!*e'
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rotte%.3 I" he )o$*'%5t &e )o#"orte', he +as 34$st try!%g to get so#eo%e5s goat.3 Mrs. Sha(!ro a*+ays as,e' the
6$est!o% 30hy/3 0hy !s he )ry!%g, +hy !s he &e!%g st$&&or%, +hat )o$*' !t &e/ Both (are%ts, (erha(s !%!t!a**y
s$r(r!se' &y th!s a*!e% a((roa)h to a &a&y, &ega% to ass!#!*ate Mrs. Sha(!ro5s e'$)at!o%. More a%' #ore, as the
+ee,s a%' #o%ths (rogresse', +e sa+ the (are%ts the#se*es see,!%g )a$ses, a**e!at!%g '!stress &y "!%'!%g the
a%te)e'e%t )o%'!t!o%s. A%' Greg &ega% to "*o$r!sh.
Th!s !s %ot to say that +!th!% a "e+ #o%ths +e ha' $%'o%e the )r$e* e""e)ts o" A%%!e5s o+% )h!*'hoo'. B$t +e %o+
ha' a))ess to th!s (ast. 0he% A%%!e5s o!)e so#et!#es &e)a#e shr!** a%' she gae &r$s6$e treat#e%t to Greg, A%%!e
,%e+ as +e** as Mrs. Sha(!ro that a ghost "ro# A%%!e5s )h!*'hoo' ha' !%a'e' the %$rsery aga!%. A%' together they
)o$*' "!%' #ea%!%g !% the #oo' that ha' s$''e%*y oer(o+ere' her.
As the &a&y (rogresse' a%' A%%!e5s )o%"*!)te' (ast &e)a#e sorte' o$t, +e &ega% to see o%e "!g$re e#erge !% A%%!e5s
)h!*'hoo' +ho stoo' "or (rote)t!o%, to*era%)e, $%'ersta%'!%g. Th!s +as A%%!e5s %at$ra* "ather, +ho ha' '!e' +he%
A%%!e +as 8. I% A%%!e5s #e#ory he +as ,!%' a%' "a!r. He %eer &eat her. He +o$*' %eer hae a**o+e' other (eo(*e
to &e )r$e* to her, !" o%*y he ha' re#a!%e' +!th the "a#!*y. A%' as she s(o,e o" her o+% "ather, *oe a%' a
re#e#&ra%)e o" h!s *oss oer+he*#e' her. 0hether A%%!e5s #e#ory o" her "ather +as a))$rate or %ot 'oes %ot
#atter, o" )o$rse. 0hat 'oes #atter !s that !% the )haos a%' terror o" her )h!*'hoo' there ha' &ee% o%e (erso% +ho
gae her a se%se o" *oe a%' (rote)t!o%. I% sear)h!%g her (ast "or so#eth!%g goo', "or so#e so$r)e o" stre%gth, th!s !s
+hat she "o$%', a%' Mrs. Sha(!ro ,e(t th!s goo' #e#ory a*!e "or A%%!e. 0e %o+ $%'erstoo' a%other (art o" the
($--*e. 0he% +e ha' "!rst ,%o+% the Beyer "a#!*y, yo$ re#e#&er, A%%!e ha' %ot o%*y re"$se' to )are "or her &a&y
&$t reg$*ar*y t$r%e' h!# oer to her h$s&a%', the &a&y5s "ather, "or )are. A** o" th!s ha' )ha%ge' !% the !%tere%!%g
#o%ths as A%%!e *ear%e', thro$gh her thera(!st, ho+ a #other too )a% &e a (rote)tor to her )h!*'.
Greg h!#se*" &ega% to sho+ a stre%gthe%!%g o" h!s &o%' to h!s #other +!th!% the ear*y #o%ths o" +or,. At CE #o%ths
o" age, 4$st &e"ore Mrs. Sha(!ro *e"t "or a)at!o%, h!s &eha!or to+ar' h!s #other sho+e' se*e)t!e res(o%se a%'
see,!%g o" her, #$)h s#!*!%g a%' see,!%g )o%ta)t +!th her, a((roa)hes to #other "or )o#"ort a%' "or )o#(a%y.
B$tthere +as st!** so#e "ear o" #other, +e sa+, +he% her str!'e%t o!)e sto((e' h!# !% the #!''*e o" so#e tr!!a*
#!s'e#ea%or.
D$r!%g these #o%ths, +e sho$*' %o+ re)a**, A%%!e +as (reg%a%t. She rare*y s(o,e o" the )o#!%g &a&y to Mrs.
Sha(!ro. It +as as !" the (reg%a%)y +as %ot rea* to her. There +ere %o "a%tas!es a&o$t the &a&y. She +as "$**y
(reo))$(!e' +!th her o+% se*" a%' +!th Greg, +ho +as &e)o#!%g the )e%ter "or her.
I% 7$*y, +he% Mrs. Sha(!ro +as o% a)at!o%, A%%!e 'e*!ere' a st!**> &or% )h!*'. 0he% Mrs. Sha(!ro ret$r%e', A%%!e
+as sa' a%' &$r'e%e' +!th g$!*t. The 'eath o" the &a&y she tho$ght +as a ($%!sh#e%t to her. She ha' %ot +a%te' the
&a&y, a%' she tho$ght Go' '!' %ot +a%t a &a&y to )o#e !%to the +or*' +ho +o$*' %ot &e *oe'. Ma%y ho$rs +ere
s(e%t !% ($tt!%g together the e.(er!e%)e o" *oss a%' se*":re(roa)h.
It +as '$r!%g th!s (er!o' too that A%%!e &ega% to $%'ersta%' +!th he*( +hy she ha' %ot &ee% rea'y "or a%other &a&y.
She +as, !%'ee', 'ra+!%g $(o% a** o" her !#(oer!she' e#ot!o%a* reso$r)es to g!e )are a%' *oe to Greg, a%' !%
21
g!!%g she "e*t 'e(*ete'. Ma%y t!#es +e ha' the !#(ress!o% that she +as s$sta!%!%g herse*" thro$gh the +ar#th a%'
)ar!%g o" her thera(!st, &orro+!%g stre%gth, a$g#e%t!%g the (oerty o" her o+% e.(er!e%)e !% *oe thro$gh the
re*at!o%sh!( to her thera(!st. Th!s +as a*+ays a (ro"ess!o%a* re*at!o%sh!(, o" )o$rse, &$t "or a g!r* +ho ha' &ee%
e#ot!o%a**y stare' a%' &r$ta*!-e', th!s (ro"ess!o%a* )ar!%g a%' $%'ersta%'!%g see#e' to &e e.(er!e%)e' as the
g!!%g o" *oe.
The $%sat!s"!e' h$%gers o" )h!*'hoo' +ere (ers!ste%t ghosts !% th!s ho$seho*'. O"te% +he% the thera(!st arr!e',
A%%!e a%' Ear* +ere +at)h!%g te*e!s!o%. The!r "aor!te TV sho+s +ere )h!*'re%5s (rogra#s a%' a%!#ate' )artoo%s.
Th!s +as %ot "or Greg5s sa,e, +e #$st ass$re yo$, s!%)e Greg h!#se*" ha' %o !%terest !% these sho+s. D$r!%g the
s$##er o" the 0atergate hear!%gs, +h!)h +ere )arr!e' o% %ear*y eery )ha%%e*, o" )o$rse, Mrs. Sha(!ro sa+ A%%!e
a%' Ear* s+!t)h "ro# )ha%%e* to )ha%%e* $%t!* they "o$%' a (rogra# they *!,e'. It +as 3The 7o**y Gree% G!a%t.3
0he% Mrs. Sha(!ro &ro$ght )are"$**y se*e)te' toys "or Greg ?as +e a*+ays 'o "or o$r )h!*'re% +he% +e ,%o+ that
the (are%ts )a%%ot (ro!'e the#@, A%%!e +ore a )o%"*!)te' *oo, o% her "a)e. It +as e%y, Mrs. Sha(!ro rea*!-e', a%'
*o%g!%g. O% o%e o))as!o%, +he% Mrs. Sha(!ro &ro$ght so#e s!#(*e (*ast!) toys "or the &a&y, A%%!e sa!', !% a o!)e
"$** o" "ee*!%g, 3It5s #y &!rth'ay %e.t +ee,. I5** &e see%tee%.3 Mrs. Sha(!ro $%'erstoo', o" )o$rse. A%%!e +!she' the
(rese%t +ere "or her. The thera(!st, 6$!),*y res(o%'!%g, s(o,e o" A%%!e5s )o#!%g &!rth'ay a%' her +!sh that !t &e a
ery s(e)!a* 'ay. A%%!e sa!', 3I %eer ha' a &!rth'ay. I %eer ha' a (arty. I5# (*a%%!%g to hae o%e "or Greg !%
A$g$st. My #other +!** (ro&a&*y "orget #y &!rth'ay.3 ?Her #other '!' "orget.@ A%' "or A%%!e5s &!rth'ay, Mrs.
Sha(!ro &ro$ght a s#a**, )are"$**y )hose% (rese%t "or her.
O% Greg5s &!rth'ay, Mrs. Sha(!ro &ro$ght a toy &$s "or the &a&y. A%%!e o(e%e' the (a),age. She +as e%ra(t$re'.
She e.a#!%e' ea)h o" the *!tt*e "!g$res, o(e%e' the &$s 'oor, (*a)e' a** the *!tt*e (eo(*e o% the seats, a%' o%*y +he%
she ha' "!%!she' (*ay!%g +!th !t '!' she g!e !t to Greg a%' share her e.)!te#e%t +!th h!#.
%&E LA#% G&!#%: %&E M!#% !"#%INA%E !NE
The *ast ghost to *eae the %$rsery +as a*so the "!rst ghost to e%ter !t.
A%' !ts %a#e, o" )o$rse, +as 3!'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th the aggressor.3 Ee% !% !ts #ost "or#!'a&*e as(e)t a"ter the "!rst
#o%ths o" thera(e$t!) +or, th!s ghost %o *o%ger threate%e' the &a&y. That !s to say, there +as %o *o%ger ser!o$s
'a%ger o" a&$se o" Greg &y h!s #other. 0e sa+ ho+ the stre%gthe%!%g o" the *oe &o%'s &et+ee% A%%!e a%' her
&a&y (rote)te' the )h!*' "ro# (hys!)a* a&$se. 0e a*so sa+ ho+ A%%!e5s re#e#&ra%)es o" her o+% s$""er!%g &e)a#e
a "or# o" (rote)t!o% to her &a&y. She +o$*' %o *o%ger !%"*!)t her (a!% $(o% her )h!*'.
At the e%' o" the "!rst year o" treat#e%t, the%, Greg sho+e' "aora&*e s!g%s o" 'ee*o(#e%ta* (rogress a%'
atta)h#e%t to h!s #other. B$t the ghost st!** *!%gere', a%' +e sa+ !t !% #a%y "or#s that st!** e%'a%gere' Greg5s
'ee*o(#e%t.
22
As Greg &e)a#e a)t!e, !%'e(e%'e%t, )$r!o$s, a%' #!s)h!eo$s !% h!s se)o%' year, A%%!e5s re(erto!re o" '!s)!(*!%ary
ta)t!)s a((eare' rea'y> #a'e "ro# the r$!%s o" her )h!*'hoo'. Mater%a* a%' (rote)t!e a%' a""e)t!o%ate as she )o$*'
&e +he% Greg +as 6$!et, o&e'!e%t, a%' 3goo',3 there +as a o!)e "or '!so&e'!e%)e or or'!%ary to''*er #!sha(s +h!)h
+as str!'e%t, shr!**, a%' o" a #ag%!t$'e to shatter the ear'r$#s. Greg at these #o#e%ts +as "r!ghte%e', a%' Mrs.
Sha(!ro 're+ A%%!e5s atte%t!o% to the &a&y5s rea)t!o%s o% #a%y o))as!o%s. A%' the% ery 6$!),*y, !t see#e' to $s,
Greg a)6$!re' a 'e"e%se aga!%st the a%.!ety (ro'$)e' !% h!# &y #other5s a%ger. He +o$*' *a$gh, g!''!*y, a *!tt*e
hyster!)a**y, +e tho$ght. A%' th!s, o" )o$rse, +as e.a)t*y the 'e"e%se +h!)h h!s #other ha' a)6$!re' !% her
)h!*'hoo'. Greg +as CA #o%ths o*' +he% +e +!t%esse' the a((eara%)e o" th!s 'e"e%se.
Very )*ear*y a% !#(orta%t )o#(o%e%t o" A%%!e5s 'e"e%se23!'e%t!"!2 )at!o% +!th the aggressor32ha' %ot yet &ee%
'ea*t +!th !% the thera(y. A%%!e ha' %ot yet "$**y e.(er!e%)e' !% thera(y her )h!*'hoo' a%.!ety a%' terror &e"ore the
'a%gero$s, $%(re'!)ta&*e, !o*e%t, a%' (o+er"$* "!g$res o" the (ast. Fro# a%a*yt!) e.(er!e%)e +e ,%e+ that the
(athoge%es!s o" the 'e"e%se ,%o+% as !'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th the aggressor !s a%.!ety a%' he*(*ess%ess &e"ore the
atta),ers.
To rea)h th!s strat$# o" the 'e"e%se str$)t$re
tas,. Ho+ sha** +e rea)h !t thro$gh o$r o%)e:a:+ee, (sy)hothera(y> !%:the:,!t)he%/
0e e.a#!%e' the (ath+ays aa!*a&*e to $s. A%%!e5s o!)e, Mrs. Sha(!ro ha' o&sere', +o$*' sh!"t !% a s!%g*e
#o#e%t "ro# a %at$ra* )o%ersat!o%a* o!)e, +h!)h +as her o+%, to the str!'e%t, ear:shatter!%g o!)e +h!)h see#e'
to &e so#e&o'y e*se5s. B$t A%%!e see#e' %ot a+are o" th!s. The a*!e% o!)e +as a*so !%)or(orate' !% her (erso%a*!ty.
1o$*' +e e#(*oy the o%:the:s(ot #a%!"estat!o%s o" th!s (atho*og!)a* !'e%t!"!)at!o% !% a t+o:(hase !%ter(ret!e
(ro)ess/ F!rst, to #a,e the o!)e ego:a*!e%, !'e%t!"y !t9 the%, to !%ter(ret !t as a 'e"e%se aga!%st !%to*era&*e a%.!ety
a%' *ea' A%%!e to ree.(er!e%)e her o+% )h!*'hoo' se%se o" terror a%' he*(*ess%ess/
There +as %o '!""!)$*ty "!%'!%g the o))as!o% !% a ho#e !s!t. The o))as!o%, as !t ha((e%e', a((eare' +!th start*!%g
)*ar!ty !% a !s!t short*y a"ter +e e.a#!%e' the te)h%!)a* (ro&*e#s !% o$r )o%"ere%)e.
Greg, CB #o%ths o*', +as !% h!s h!gh )ha!r, eat!%g h!s &rea,"ast. Mother ,e(t $( a strea# o" a'#o%!t!o%s +h!*e he
ate; 3Do%5t 'o that. Do%5t 'ro( the "oo' o"".3 The% s$''e%*y, res(o%'!%g to so#e tr!!a* #!sha( !% the h!gh )ha!r,
A%%!e s)rea#e', 3Sto( !t<3 Both Greg a%' Mrs. Sha(!ro 4$#(e'. A%%!e sa!' to the thera(!st, 3I s)are' yo$, '!'%5t I/3
Mrs. Sha(!ro, re)oer!%g "ro# sho),, 'e)!'e' th!s +as the #o#e%t she +as +a!t!%g "or. She sa!', 3So#et!#es,
A%%!e, the +or's a%' so$%'s that )o#e o$t o" yo$r #o$th 'o%5t ee% so$%' *!,e yo$. I +o%'er +ho# they 'o so$%'
*!,e.3 A%%!e sa!' !##e'!ate*y, 3I ,%o+. They so$%' 4$st *!,e #y #other. My #other $se' to s)are #e.3 3Ho+ '!'
yo$ "ee*/3 A%%!e sa!', 3Ho+ +o$*' yo$ "ee* !" yo$ +ere !% +!th a &$** !% a )h!%a sho(/ ... Bes!'es, I 'o%5t +a%t to
ta*, a&o$t that. I5e s$""ere' e%o$gh. That5s &eh!%' #e.3
B$t Mrs. Sha(!ro (ers!ste', ge%t*y, a%' #a'e the )r$)!a* !%ter(retat!o%. She sa!', 3I )o$*' !#ag!%e that as a *!tt*e g!r*
yo$ #!ght &e so s)are' that !% or'er to #a,e yo$rse*" *ess s)are', yo$ #!ght start ta*,!%g a%' so$%'!%g *!,e yo$r
23
#other.3 A%%!e sa!' aga!%, 3I 'o%5t +a%t to ta*, a&o$t !t r!ght %o+.3 B$t she +as 'ee(*y a""e)te' &y Mrs. Sha(!ro5s
+or's.
The rest o" the ho$r too, a )$r!o$s t$r%. A%%!e &ega% to )o**a(se &e"ore Mrs. Sha(!ro5s eyes. I%stea' o" a to$gh,
'e"!a%t, aggress!e g!r*, she &e)a#e a he*(*ess, a%.!o$s *!tt*e g!r* "or the e%t!re ho$r. S!%)e she )o$*' "!%' %o +or's to
s(ea, o" the (ro"o$%' a%.!ety +h!)h ha' e#erge' !% her, she &ega% to s(ea, o" eeryth!%g she )o$*' "!%' !% her
)o%te#(orary *!"e that #a'e her "ee* a"ra!', he*(*ess, a*o%e.
I% th!s +ay, a%' "or #a%y ho$rs to )o#e, Mrs. Sha(!ro *e' A%%!e &a), !%to the e.(er!e%)es o" he*(*ess%ess a%' terror
!% her )h!*'hoo' a%' #oe' &a), a%' "orth, "ro# the (rese%t to the (ast, !% !'e%t!"y!%g "or A%%!e the +ays !% +h!)h
she &ro$ght her o+% e.(er!e%)es to her #other!%g o" Greg, ho+ !'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th the "eare' (eo(*e o" her
)h!*'hoo' +as 3re#e#&ere'3 +he% she &e)a#e the "r!ghte%!%g #other to Greg. It +as a #o#e%t "or thera(e$t!)
re4o!)!%g +he% A%%!e +as a&*e to say, 3I 'o%5t +a%t #y )h!*' to &e a"ra!' o" #e.3
The +or, !% th!s area &ro$ght a&o$t (ro"o$%' )ha%ges !% A%%!e a%' !% her re*at!o%sh!( to Greg. A%%!e herse*" &ega%
to *eae &eh!%' her to$gh, street:)h!*' #a%%er, a%' the str!'e%t o!)e +as #$te'. As the (atho*og!)a* !'e%t!"!)at!o%
+!th her o+% #other &ega% to '!sso*e, +e sa+ A%%!e see,!%g %e+ #o'e*s "or #other!%g a%' "or "e#!%!%!ty, so#e
o" +h!)h +ere eas!*y !'e%t!"!e' as attr!&$tes o" Mrs. Sha(!ro.
A%' Greg h!#se*" &ega% to res(o%' to the )ha%ge' )*!#ate o" h!s ho#e. As +e sho$*' e.(e)t, the "ear o" #other a%'
the %ero$s *a$gh as a 'e"e%se aga!%st a%.!ety &ega% to '!sa((ear. S!%)e there +ere, !% "a)t, stro%g &o%'s &et+ee%
#other a%' &a&y, there +as #$)h that A%%!e )o$*' %o+ e#(*oy !% a% e'$)at!o% o" her so% +!tho$t "ear..
Mrs. Sha(!ro e%*!ste' the #other as o&serer o" Greg5s atte#(ts to )o##$%!)ate +!th her. 1o%)rete s$ggest!o%s a%'
'e#o%strat!o%s +ere o""ere' !% a s$((ort!e, %o%)r!t!)a* +ay. Th!s t!#e A%%!e +as a&*e to $se the 'ee*o(#e%ta*
g$!'a%)e !% a *ess 'e"e%s!e a%' #ore )o%str$)t!e +ay, +or,!%g !% a**!a%)e +!th the thera(!st o% &eha*" o" Greg.
0!th!% a #o%th o" the t!#e Greg5s %ee' "or he*( !% *a%g$age +as "!rst !'e%t!"!e', he &ega% to $se *a%g$age
e.(ress!e*y a%' +as soo% +e** +!th!% the %or#a* ra%ge o" the Bay*ey S)a*e.
Treat#e%t )o%t!%$e' "or t+o years, +h!)h !s so#e t!#e &eyo%' the (o!%t +here Greg ha' a)h!ee' a'e6$a)y !% a**
areas o" "$%)t!o%!%g a%' A%%!e a%' Ear* the#se*es ha' &e)o#e )o#(ete%t a%' 'eote' (are%ts. I% *arge #eas$re,
the +or, o" those t+o years +as s$((ort!e o" the t+o yo$%g (are%ts +ho +ere )o(!%g +!th the stresses o" 3gro+!%g
$(3 the#se*es, o" )o#(*et!%g the!r o+% a'o*es)e%)e, at the sa#e t!#e as they +ere *ear%!%g to &e)o#e (are%ts o" a
,!%' they ha' %eer ,%o+% !% the!r o+% e.(er!e%)e. A%%!e a%' Ear* )o%t!%$e' to see, g$!'a%)e "ro# Mrs. Sha(!ro !%
#a%y areas o" )h!*' rear!%g a%' yet +ere #a,!%g goo' a%' +!se 'e)!s!o%s o% the!r o+% as Greg #oe' !%to ea)h %e+
'ee*o(#e%ta* stage. Treat#e%t +as ter#!%ate' +he% Greg +as F years o*', +he% A%%!e herse*" to*' Mrs. Sha(!ro
that she %o+ "e*t goo' a&o$t her a&!*!ty to #a%age +!tho$t he*(. It +as $%'erstoo' that at a%y t!#e !% the "$t$re that
she %ee'e' to )a** Mrs. Sha(!ro or !s!t she +o$*' a*+ays &e #ost +e*)o#e.
24
)!LL!0-*P
S!%)e A%%!e a%' Ear* ,e(t !% to$)h +!th Mrs. Sha(!ro "ro# t!#e to t!#e, +e hae a "o**o+:$( re(ort a$g#e%t!%g the
story o" th!s "a#!*y.
The o$t)o#e o" treat#e%t "or A%%!e, "or Ear*, a%' "or Greg has &ee% ho(e"$*. I% CHBB, Greg2%o+ )*ose to 8 years o"
age2!s see% !% "o**o+> $( as a hea*thy, &$oya%t *!tt*e &oy, a""e)t!o%ate a%' e%'ear!%g. A %e+ &a&y &rother, %o+ D
years o*', test!"!es to the goo' #other!%g he !s re)e!!%g a%' the goo' )*!#ate o" h!s ho#e. The #arr!age o" A%%!e
a%' Ear* has &e)o#e sta&*e2a%' !t !s the o%*y sta&*e #arr!age !% &oth the!r e.te%'e' "a#!*!es. A%%!e herse*" !s a
(ro$' a%' )o#(ete%t yo$%g +o#a%. Last year A%%!e, the h!gh:s)hoo* 'ro(o$t, e%ro**e' !% a )*ass !% )h!*'
'ee*o(#e%t. She +as s$r(r!se', she to*' Mrs. Sha(!ro, to '!s)oer ho+ #$)h she ,%e+.
She !s )o%s$*te' &y a** #e#&ers o" her "a#!*y, !%)*$'!%g her #other, as "a#!*y )r!ses )o%t!%$e to o))$r. She
'!s(e%ses +!se )o$%se* a%' ,ee(s her o+% hea'. She th!%,s her #other a%' s!sters a** %ee' thera(y a%' has 'o%e her
ear%est &est to (ers$a'e the#, &$t %ot yet +!th s$))ess.
%he 1uestions2and a &ypothesis
0e &ega% th!s )ha(ter +!th a 6$est!o%; 30hat !s !t, the%, that 'eter#!%es +hether the )o%"*!)te' (ast o" the (are%t
+!** &e re(eate' +!th h!s )h!*'/3 Mor&!'!ty !% the (are%ta* h!story +!** %ot !% !tse*" (re'!)t the re(et!t!o% o" the (ast !%
the (rese%t. The (rese%)e o" (atho*og!)a* "!g$res !% the (are%ta* (ast +!** %ot, !% !tse*", (re'!)t !'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th
those "!g$res a%' the (ass!%g o% o" #or&!' e.(er!e%)e to o%e5s o+% )h!*'re%.
Fro# the )*!%!)a* st$'!es o" Mrs. Mar)h a%' A%%!e Beyer a%' "ro# #a%y other )ases ,%o+% to $s !% +h!)h the
ghosts o" the (are%ta* (ast ta,e (ossess!o% o" the %$rsery, +e hae see% a (atter% +h!)h !s str!,!%g*y $%!"or#; These
are the (are%ts +ho, ear*!er, !% the e.tre#!ty o" )h!*'hoo' terror, "or#e' a (atho*og!)a* !'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th the
'a%gero$s a%' assa$*t!e e%e#!es o" the ego. Yet !" +e %a#e th!s )o%'!t!o% !% the "a#!*!ar ter#, 3!'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th
the aggressor,3 +e hae %ot a''e' to the s$# o" o$r ,%o+*e'ge o" th!s 'e"e%se. O$r *!terat$re !% th!s area o" 'e"e%se
!s s(arse. Beyo%' the ear*y +r!t!%gs o" A%%a Fre$' +h!)h %a#e' a%' !**$#!%ate' th!s 'e"e%se !% the "or#at!e (er!o'
o" )h!*'hoo', +e 'o %ot yet ,%o+ "ro# *arge:s)a*e )*!%!)a* st$'y the )o%'!t!o%s +h!)h goer% the )ho!)e o" th!s
'e"e%se aga!%st other a*ter%at!es, or the 'y%a#!)s +h!)h (er(et$ate a% !'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th the e%e#y, so to s(ea,.
0e are o% so$%' gro$%'s )*!%!)a**y a%' theoret!)a**y !" +e (os!t that a "or# o" re(ress!o% !s (rese%t !% th!s 'e"e%se
+h!)h (ro!'es #ot!e a%' e%ergy "or re(et!t!o%. B$t +hat !s !t that !s re(resse'/ Fro# a %$#&er o" )ases ,%o+% to
$s !% +h!)h 3!'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th the aggressor3 +as e.(*ore' )*!%!)a**y as a )e%tra* #e)ha%!s# !% (atho*og!)a*
(are%t!%g, +e )a% re(ort that #e#ory "or the ee%ts o" )h!*'hoo' a&$se, tyra%%y, a%' 'esert!o% +as aa!*a&*e !%
e.(*!)!t a%' )h!**!%g 'eta!*. What was not remembered was the associated affective experience.
A%%!e "or !%sta%)e, re#e#&ere' her )h!*'hoo' &eat!%gs &y her ste("ather, a%' she re#e#&ere' her #other5s
'esert!o%. 0hat she '!' %ot re#e#&er +as terror a%' he*(*ess%ess !% the e.(er!e%)e o" &e!%g a&$se' a%' 'eserte'.
The or!g!%a* a""e)ts ha' $%'ergo%e re(ress!o%. 0he% the thera(e$t!) +or, re!e' these a""e)ts, a%' +he% A%%!e
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)o$*' ree.(er!e%)e the# !% the sa"ety o" her re*at!o%sh!( to the thera(!st, she )o$*' %o *o%ger !%"*!)t th!s (a!% $(o%
her )h!*'. Mrs. Mar)h )o$*' re#e#&er re4e)t!o%, 'esert!o%, a%' !%)est$o$s e.(er!e%)e !% )h!*'hoo'. 0hat she )o$*'
%ot re#e#&er +as the oer+he*#!%g a%.!ety, sha#e, a%' +orth*ess%ess +h!)h ha' a))o#(a%!e' ea)h o" these
!o*at!o%s o" a )h!*'. 0he% a%.!ety, gr!e", sha#e, se*":a&ase#e%t +ere re)oere' a%' ree.(er!e%)e' !% thera(y, Mrs.
Mar)h %o *o%ger %ee'e' to !%"*!)t her o+% (a!% a%' her )h!*'hoo' s!%s $(o% her )h!*'. 0!th the ree.(er!e%)!%g o"
)h!*'hoo' s$""er!%g a*o%g +!th the #e#or!es, ea)h o" these yo$%g #others +as a&*e to say, 3I +o$*' %eer +a%t that
to ha((e% to #y )h!*'.3
These +or's str!,e a "a#!*!ar %ote. There are #a%y (are%ts +ho hae the#se*es *!e' tor#e%te' )h!*'hoo's +ho 'o
%ot !%"*!)t the!r (a!% $(o% the!r )h!*'re%. These are the (are%ts +ho say e.(*!)!t*y, or !% e""e)t, 3I re#e#&er +hat !t
+as *!,e.... I re#e#&er ho+ a"ra!' I +as +he% #y "ather e.(*o'e'.... I re#e#&er ho+ I )r!e' +he% they too, #e a%'
#y s!ster a+ay to *!e !% that ho#e.... I +o$*' %eer *et #y )h!*' go thro$gh +hat I +e%t thro$gh.3
For these (are%ts the (a!% a%' s$""er!%g hae %ot $%'ergo%e tota* re(ress!o%. I% re#e#&er!%g, they are sae' "ro#
the &*!%' re(et!t!o% o" that #or&!' (ast. Thro$gh re#e#&er!%g they !'e%t!"y +!th a% !%4$re' )h!*' ?the )h!*'hoo'
se*"@, +h!*e the (are%t +ho 'oes %ot re#e#&er #ay "!%' h!#se*" !% a% $%)o%s)!o$s a**!a%)e a%' !'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th
the "earso#e "!g$res o" the (ast. I% th!s +ay, the (are%ta* (ast !s !%"*!)te' $(o% the )h!*'.
The ,ey to o$r ghost story a((ears to *!e !% the "ate o" a""e)ts !% )h!*'hoo'. O$r hy(othes!s !s that a))ess to )h!*'hoo'
(a!% &e)o#es a (o+er"$* 'eterre%t aga!%st re(et!t!o% !% (are%t!%g, +h!*e re(ress!o% a%' !so*at!o% o" (a!%"$* a""e)t
(ro!'e the (sy)ho*og!)a* re6$!re#e%ts "or !'e%t!"!)at!o% +!th the &etrayers a%' the aggressors. The $%so*e'
#ystery !s +hy, $%'er )o%'!t!o%s o" e.tre#!ty, !% ear*y )h!*'hoo', so#e )h!*'re% +ho *ater &e)o#e (are%ts ,ee( (a!%
a*!e9 they 'o %ot #a,e the "ate"$* a**!a%)e +!th the aggressor +h!)h 'e"e%'s the )h!*' ego aga!%st !%to*era&*e 'a%ger
a%' o&*!terates the )o%s)!o$s e.(er!e%)e o" a%.!ety. 0e ho(e to e.(*ore these (ro&*e#s !% "arther st$'y.
The theory (os!te' here, ho+eer !%)o#(*ete, has (ra)t!)a* !#(*!)at!o%s "or (sy)hothera(y +!th (are%ts a%' )h!*'re%
!% those "a#!*!es +here the ghosts o" the (are%ta* (ast hae ta,e% $( res!'e%)e !% the %$rsery. I% ea)h )ase, +he% o$r
thera(y has &ro$ght the (are%t to re#e#&er a%' ree.(er!e%)e h!s )h!*'hoo' a%.!ety a%' s$""er!%g, the ghosts 'e(art
a%' the a""*!)te' (are%ts &e)o#e the (rote)tors o" the!r )h!*'re% aga!%st the re(et!t!o% o" the!r o+% )o%"*!)te' (ast.
Publication Information: Boo, T!t*e; 1*!%!)a* St$'!es !% I%"a%t Me%ta* Hea*th; The F!rst Year o" L!"e. 1o%tr!&$tors;
Lo$!s Fra!&erg : $%,%o+%, Se*#a Fra!&erg : e'!tor. P$&*!sher; Bas!) Boo,s. P*a)e o" P$&*!)at!o%; Ne+ Yor,.
P$&*!)at!o% Year; CHIE.
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