‘Blind spots’: shame, jealousy and envy as hidden aspects within forensic psychotherapy

Abstract

In this article, the concepts of shame, jealousy and envy are discussed as they apply within forensic psychotherapy. The article starts with a case study of a prisoner in a Category B prison, and through the patient's material and my countertransference experiences, it attempts to illustrate how clinical work and theory can inform each other. The study highlights the links between the patient's history and his psychopathology and also how aspects of these dynamics emerged within the therapeutic relationship. Similarly, the study acknowledges both the perpetrator and the victim within aspects of the patient and how these come to be reflected within the transference and countertransference dynamics. This is followed by a critical evaluation and a psychodynamic formulation with respect to how shame, envy and jealousy can intermingle with psychopathology. After this, psychoanalytic theories of shame, envy and jealousy are further explored in order to bring more theoretical depth and understanding to the case material. Finally, the unique character of forensic psychotherapy is emphasised, and the importance of psychoanalytic theories such as the ones discussed here for forensic psychotherapy is highlighted.