A BRIEF NOTE ON A NEW BEGINNING

The use of sustained empathic inquiry is illustrated within a brief vi gnette describing the treatment of a patient with a longstanding suici dal wish that became a plan. The patient, a 40-year-old male who was r epeatedly abused sexually as a youth, became suicidal as he began to i ntegrate painful affects associated with the memories of this trauma a s part of treatment. An interpretation given in a session during the 9 th month of treatment provided understanding that the patient had cond ensed the ending of his physical life and the metaphoric expression of relief from suffering and exploitation. The interpretation initiated a transformation of the patient's dreaded expectation of exploitation and provided the patient with a new beginning characterized by the exp ectation of responsivity and understanding to his inner life.