E-Book Overview
Kristina E. Schellinski uncovers the hidden trauma of the replacement child – born into an atmosphere of grief to substitute for a lost sibling or other person – and helps adult replacement children discover the uniqueness of their self. Schellinski combines Jungian theory with research from over 20 years of clinical practice to demonstrate how adult replacement children who suffer from physical and psychological distress can rediscover the essence of their being in the transformative process of individuation. Theoretical yet practical, the book discusses core concepts of analytical psychology, psychoanalysis and attachment theory, and detailed case studies address grief, guilt, identity formation, relational challenges and shadow aspects. Schellinski explores how Jung’s birth after three dead children impacted his search for self and his theory and discloses her own personal experience. On treatment and prevention, she argues that by recognising elements of the condition, clinicians can facilitate acceptance, compassion and healing, and help reduce transgenerational transmission. This book is an indispensable tool for clinicians, analytical psychologists, psychodynamic psychotherapists and those in other medical professions, and will be of great interest to academics and readers interested in Jungian studies and existential questions. It offers adult replacement children and their families hope for a psychological rebirth
E-Book Content
“Kristina Schellinski’s book represents a major and rich contribution to the slowly but steadily evolving genre of Replacement Child literature. . . .” – Albert C. Cain, from the foreword; Ph.D, Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, USA; author of On Replacing a Child, Survivors of Suicide, and numerous articles on childhood bereavement “Individuation for Adult Replacement Children offers the inspiring message that the truth is different, that the center of the self is a precious and unique being whom one should become and identify with. This is the essence of becoming who you are.” – Murray Stein, from the foreword; Ph.D., Past President of IAAP; former President International School of Analytical Psychology (ISAP) Zürich, author of Jung’s Map of the Soul and Minding the Self “An outstanding book that reveals the depth psychology of the adult replacement child, an extraordinary work.” – Henry Abramovitch, Professor at the Department of Medical Education, Tel Aviv University; author of Brothers & Sisters, Myth and Reality “In this remarkable book Kristina Schellinski brings forward an often overlooked but powerful influence on the development of identity for those who have served consciously or unconsciously as a ‘replacement child.’ The widespread nature of the phenomena has rarely been examined in the psychotherapeutic literature. We are most fortunate to have this penetrating exploration, the work of a lifetime, put forward in such a cogent and useful manner.” – Joe Cambray, Ph.D.; President/CEO, Pacifica Graduate Institute “Deeply insightful and well researched, this book is a veritable gold mine of information that enables a thorough comprehension of the replacement child syndrome. Schellinski skillfully integrates an understanding born of personal experience, training as a psychoanalyst and powerful case histories to illustrate this widespread, but greatly under exposed topic. Individuation for Adult Replacement Children: Ways of Coming into Being imports a deep exploration into the experience of the replacement child, its far-reaching effects and how this experience can be the root of numerous emotional issues. Everyone will benefit from this book. It is an absolute ‘must read’ for replacement children, their families and all healthcare professionals!” – Rita Battat Silverman, co-author of Replacement Children: The Unconscious Script