The Alchemy of Wolves and Sheep: A Relational Approach to Internalized Perpetration in Complex Trauma Survivors

276 Pages·2013·2.21 MB·English

by  Harvey L. Schwartz

The Alchemy of Wolves and Sheep
The literature on psychological trauma and traumatic attachment has
progressed over the past few decades; however, issues of coerced and inter-
nalized perpetration have not been fully explored and deconstructed. This
book presents a synthesis of relational and archetypal psychology, trauma and
dissociation theory, and highly relevant child soldier literature, to offer new
clinical perspectives to assist psychotherapists and trauma patients to achieve
more successful therapy outcomes.
The Alchemy of Wolves and Sheep offers instructive, cautionary and innovative
therapeutic approaches to help transform the lives of survivors of complex
trauma. The book deconstructs the origins and permutations of coerced perpe-
tration and its effects on the psyches and lives of many trauma victims.
Chapters include:
• trauma, dissociation, and coerced perpetration
• the child soldier as a model of internalized perpetration
• relational concepts in the treatment of trauma and dissociative disorders
• treatment trajectory
• archetypal constructs as a vehicle for integration.
This book provides valuable new perspectives on the psychodynamic chal-
lenges and opportunities for mental health professionals treating internalized
perpetration in survivors of complex trauma, and will prove essential reading
for psychotherapists, psychoanalysts and postgraduate students as well as
researchers, sociologists, theologians, legal scholars and policy makers.
Harvey L. Schwartz is a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and consult-
ant with more than 25 years experience treating complex trauma survivors
and training psychotherapists in relational approaches to the treatment of
trauma and dissociative disorders, and is the author of D ialogues with
Forgotten Voices: Relational perspectives on child abuse trauma and treatment
of dissociative disorders.
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The Alchemy of Wolves
and Sheep
A relational approach to internalized
perpetration in complex trauma survivors
Harvey L. Schwartz
First published 2013
by Routledge
27 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2FA
Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2013 H. L. Schwartz
The right of H. L. Schwartz to be identifi ed as author of this work has been
asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identifi cation and explanation without intent to
infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Schwartz, Harvey L., 1955-
The alchemy of wolves and sheep : a relational approach to internalized
perpetration in complex trauma survivors/Harvey L. Schwartz.
page cm
ISBN 978-0-415-64470-9 (hardback)–ISBN 978-0-203-07933-1 (ebook)
1. Psychic trauma in children–Complications–Treatment. 2. Post-traumatic stress
disorder in children–Complications–Treatment. 3. Dissociative disorders in chil-
dren–Treatment. 4. Child soldiers–Social aspects. I. Title.
RJ506.P66S39 2013
618.92´8521–dc23 2012041694
ISBN: 978-0-415-64470-9 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-07933-1 (ebk)
Typeset in Galliard
by Cenveo Publisher Services
Contents
P reface vii
A cknowledgements ix
1 The alchemy of wolves and sheep 1
2 The child soldier as a model of internalized
perpetration 28
3 Dilemmas of dissociative survival 45
4 Mind control 80
5 Perpetration and perpetrator states 108
6 Transforming perpetration 136
7 Treatment concepts and trajectories 167
8 Using archetypal concepts as a vehicle of integration 196
N otes 231
R eferences 241
I ndex 255
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Preface
The intention of this book is to expand the interdisciplinary dialogue
between the psychoanalytic and trauma/dissociation communities, while
drawing a wider circle to include stakeholders advancing international justice
and the rehabilitation of survivors of orchestrated violence and subjugation.
By supporting a further cross-pollination of multidisciplinary perspectives,
this work hopes to better elucidate, and thereby counter, one of the most
hidden and disturbing aspects of the treatment of many complex trauma
survivors – internalized perpetration.
Herein are integrated-treatment insights and caveats that synthesize the most
valuable contributions from the clinical and theoretical systems that have shaped
my effectual psychotherapeutic interventions and responses. This book does not
offer clinicians a formula for conducting psychotherapy or a new list of tech-
niques, nor does it promulgate a particular theoretical agenda for dissociative
patients whose trauma is compounded by coerced and internalized perpetration.
Presented here are useful perspectives on psychological transformation for
seemingly intractable cases that have resisted redemption through other psycho-
therapeutic methods. The highest aim of this work is to raise my lantern along-
side my courageous colleagues who strive to illuminate the connections between
treating severely traumatized individuals and resolving the deep social and
political problems of human exploitation and suffering. In the darkness of
trauma’s most remote outposts, may even a single candle inspire hope.
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Acknowledgements
This book could not have been completed without the generosity and contri-
butions of colleagues, friends and patients. First, my heartfelt thanks to
Leonard Cetrangolo for his insightful feedback, outstanding editing, and for
signifi cant refi nement of the fi nal manuscript. I am grateful for the dedica-
tion and valuable clinical and editorial perspectives of Susanne Chassay and
Cal Gough – contributions essential to the quality and completion of the
book. Many thanks to Lisa Cardyn for her thorough and superb editorial
comments, inspiration, and essential references. I am very appreciative of
David Wasserman’s and Karen Peoples’ time, energy, and careful review of
several chapters during various phases of the project. Thoughtful input,
support, and general suggestions from my colleagues Melissa Farley, Larry
Edwards, Anne Uemura, Martha Monetti, Jay Rosenblatt, Bobby Weinstock,
Grace Furst, Catherine Miller, and James Kovacs have been important assets
to this project. I would like to thank my editor, Jane Harris, and the edito-
rial/publishing staff at Routledge for their support of this project, and for
streamlining the entire publication process in a most collaborative and
respectful manner. Finally, I would like to extend my deep appreciation to all
the patients who for the past three decades have trusted me with stewarding
their healing journeys, witnessing their trauma and transformation, and
receiving their wisdom.