JESSICA

A powerful case study on the effects of early emotional trauma, recall and gradual recovery, from psychotherapist Von Glahn.

Jessica Page was badly damaged, a woman who was terrified of being alone and being touched, who had no genuine sense of self to such an extent that there was no reason for her to exist, if–in her eyes–she existed at all. Her tale of therapy with Von Glahn is pure and fascinating. The doctor doesn’t play any tricks with time or incident; session follows session as Jessica re-experiences her childhood, from memories of pre-birth, through the birthing experience, to the critical days thereafter when her place in the world was miserably established. There are reversals and interludes of wheel-spinning, but Von Glahn carries on with his intuitive brand of cathartic healing, seeking to elicit deep emotional releases from Jessica through long sessions that moved under their own momentum. Today, the cathartic method is not held in high esteem; many practitioners find it spurious, even dangerous. But it worked for Jessica, as she was able to dredge up experiences as an infant that had her shaking and crying, laughing and voluble, in a trance and in a frenzy. Von Glahn was given permission to tape their extended sessions, and to track with him the pivotal moments of realization–speaking of her mother, Jessica says, "When she threw me down, I was afraid to move…She hated caring for me. I had destroyed her life when I was born"–is to be wholly engaged, and often stunned.

A nice piece of work, as therapy and as narrative.