
- January 25, 2023
Last-chance therapy - Book - Sophie Tran Van and Emmanuel Goldenberg - Odile Jacob, 2019
Sophie, in her thirties, begins therapy following childhood sexual abuse. Her psychiatrist and psychotherapist soon came up against Sophie's silence. So began five years of unconventional therapy, in which Sophie initially expressed herself through drawings and e-mails. It is this long journey towards a better quality of life that doctor and patient recount in this four-handed book. From the very first sessions, it was clear to the psychiatrist that Sophie was suffering from PTSD. He began by suggesting a course of medication to counter the anxiety that was paralyzing her day-to-day life. The therapy then begins, with great difficulty. The book's strength lies in its account of the determination and patient/doctor alliance built up little by little, despite the many obstacles, so that Sophie could finally be cured of her traumatic childhood. During the five years of treatment, they exchanged over 700 e-mails, a privileged yet unusual space where Sophie finally managed to free her voice. This is a dense account that takes us into the intimacy of the sessions. It highlights the difficult and complex work of psychotherapy, but also the impact and changes it gradually brings about in the patient's life. This book carries a message of hope and resilience for victims of childhood abuse. It's never too late to be treated, and it is possible to get better.
- Book