THE CRACKED CONTAINER, THE CONTAINING CRACK - CHRONIC ILLNESS - ITS EFFECT ON THE THERAPIST AND THE THERAPEUTIC PROCESS

In this paper, we have tried to examine the complex dynamics of the th erapist's physical chronic illness. Little attention has been paid to physical non-functioning, especially during chronic illness, and its p sychotherapeutic corollaries. A crucial theme is the extent of damage to the capacity to contain. It is our claim that, when sufficiently wo rked through, the 'cracked therapeutic container' may serve as a facil itator of better understanding and enhance empathy. The impact of chro nic illness on the therapeutic setting, contract, process and language is discussed as well as some salient features of chronicity.