Psychodynamic Therapy and Culture in the Treatment of Incest of a West Indian Immigrant

Abstract

This article discusses treatment of an adult West Indian female who was the vitim of incest during childhood and adolescence. West Indian immigrants are those African-Carribbeans from the English-speaking Caribbean Islands who subsequently immigrated to the United States. Studies of West Indians provide a knowledge base for incorporation into appropriate and culture-specific treatment techniques. Winnicott's object relations construct of holding processes and facilitating environment are expanded to incorporate cultural knowledge in the interventions for this case study. As the client works throught the experiences of the sexual abuse, ego integration results in a developing maturity in love and work.