Going Beyond Certain Limits Together: How Ferenczi's Notion of Elasticity Informs Group Treatment of Traumatized Patients

This paper explores Ferenczi's elasticity techniques, ideas about mutuality, and analyst self-disclosure. It describes the application of Ferenczi's theory of working with traumatized patients to a group comprised of six patients. By exploring Ferenczi's techniques in working with his patients individually, the author hopes to guide clinicians in applying and recognizing the special value of Ferenczi's theory in a group setting. The author's emphasis on promoting an atmosphere of tenderness in the group led members to reveal their experiences of trauma after they had developed sufficient feelings of safety and freedom in the group.