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Winnicott's Notion of 'Holding' as Applied to Serious Physical Illness.

Authors :
Vickers, Neil
Source :
British Journal of Psychotherapy. Nov2020, Vol. 36 Issue 4, p610-620. 11p.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

In this paper, I describe some of the ways in which D.W. Winnicott's notion of 'holding' might be seen as something intimates do for one another across the life cycle. Drawing on a wide selection of Winnicott's writings on the subject, I identify five characteristics of holding that many, perhaps most, Western adults take for granted in ordinary life. Holding enables us to split off catastrophe. It reduces our dependence and increases our sense of autonomy. It contains unmourned losses and sponsors transitional experience. It enables us to form psychosomatic communities with others. I then consider some of the ways in which these characteristics are thrown into jeopardy when serious physical illness arises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
02659883
Volume :
36
Issue :
4
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
British Journal of Psychotherapy
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
146527177
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/bjp.12597