Shari Baron
The identity of the group and the individual is often symbolized by a totem...
(Henderson, 1964)
THE TRANSITIONAL OBJECT
The concept of transitional objects to reinforce object constancy has been a long-established precedent in the study of child develop- ment and the psychodynamic model of psychotherapy (Baldwin,
1967; Stone & Church, 1973; Rutan & Stone, 2001). Yalom (1985) posited that in group psychotherapy, the individual client and/or the group as a whole might view the therapist as a transitional object. In my groups, I often utilize a small, inanimate object to serve as a tran- sitional object that ties the client to the group when he or she is deal- ing with a particularly difficult situation outside of group. This object encourages the group member, as he or she goes through the days be- tween group meetings, to remember the support and attachment he or she feels from and toward the group. This intervention helps and sup- ports him or her through the tough times in the real world.
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CLIENT POPULATION
This technique has been used successfully in several different types of groups. Specifically, I maintain two ongoing insight-oriented women’s psychotherapy groups in my private practice where this transitional object concept was developed. I also facilitate mixed- gender weekly support groups with cancer survivors at The Wellness Community of Philadelphia, a center serving adults with cancer and their families, and I have utilized this concept there with significant success.
GUIDELINES FOR INTERVENTION
The group uses a glass crystal or small stone as a totem or transi- tional object. The item belongs to the group and, periodically, is passed around the room and then sent home with a group member who is feeling a particular need for support or encouragement as he or she faces the week ahead.
Genesis of This Concept
Pat was crying, chokingly describing to the group her anxiety about her upcoming visit to her parental home in a Midwestern state. Pat had experienced cruel physical and mental abuse in that home, and although she had done significant work in therapy and felt prepared to deal with the issues she might face once she was there, she admit- ted to feeling significant anxiety about leaving behind all of her sup- port systems in Philadelphia. She was particularly upset about not having the support of her group for the two weeks she would be away. Just then, another group member dove into her large handbag and pulled out an old chandelier crystal. She offered it to Pat as a token of the group that she could cany with her on her journey. The group de- cided that, to make the crystal have even more power, we would pass it around the room and each member would hold it, symbolically putting positive energy into the crystal for Pat. Pat took the crystal with her on her trip and reported back to the group that having the crystal in her pocket helped her as she faced the old fears in her child- hood home. The crystal then returned as the property of the group to be used again by others as needed.
The Crystal and the Stone: Use of Transitional Objects in Groups 51
After several years of using this and other crystals as transitional objects in that group, we also began a practice of giving a small glass crystal to each member as she leaves group.
Adults Dealing with Cancer
Fred had been doing quite well, with his cancer officially in remis- sion for quite some time. Lately, he had been having some pain in his abdomen, and he was beginning to feel worried that something might be seriously wrong. He called his doctor who ordered tests and a fol- low-up office appointment. Fred came to group a few days before the tests, openly expressing his fear and anxiety about a possible recur- rence of his cancer. The group offered him, in this case, the group stone that had lived in this group for many years, serving the transi- tional object purpose. Group members passed the stone around, each person holding it for several minutes to pray, symbolically give it en- ergy, or whatever form of supportive thoughts or feelings that mem- ber felt appropriate. Fred then took the stone with him when he had his tests and doctor’s appointment, reporting later that the stone helped him remember all the others in group who had dealt with similar scenarios with success.
TYPICAL RESPONSES TO THIS INTERVENTION
Although the group clearly uses the crystal as a transitional object, there is little discussion or analysis of the psychodynamic reasons for this practice. I have found that it is somehow safer for the group mem- bers to use the object when they do not think about the unconscious process that is in play. Most group members respond positively to the suggestion that they accept the caring of the group in this manner, and most report that having the crystal or stone in their possession some- how made their particular trials easier to handle.
CONCLUSIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS
The use of an inanimate object as a transitional object in group can have a powerful impact on the group as a whole and on individual members who may be experiencing particularly stressful out-of-
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group events. The character of the object matters little; what is most important is the symbolic nature of the process by which a crystal or stone (or any small object) may become a support to a group member who is in distress.
Some members who are particularly concrete in their thinking or severely depressed have difficulty experiencing the supportive nature of the transitional object, and these members may report that the token was not helpful. The therapist might encourage this client to have a goal of being able to report to the group his or her disinterest in the crystal or stone. When he or she is feeling comfortable enough with the group to be honest about this disinterest, this client might ac- tually benefit from refusing to accept the token.
REFERENCES
Baldwin, A. L. (1967). Theories of Child Development. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Henderson. J. L. (1964). Ancient Myths and Modern Man. In Jung, C. G. (Ed.) Man
and His Symbols, (p. 120). New York: Dell Publishing Company.
Rutan, S. & Stone, W. N. (2001). Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy (Third edi- tion). New York: Guilford Press.
Stone, L. J. & Church, J. (1973). Childhood & Adolescence: A Psychology of the
Growing Person. New York: Random House.
Yalom, I. (1985). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy (Third edition). New York: Basic Books.