Martin Symonds

The “Second Injury” to Victims of Violent Acts

This paper, originally published in 1980, is a significant contribution to the study of psychological trauma and its treatment; particularly countertransference aspects of that treatment. Initially it was widely cited but then became little known, largely because of the inaccessibility of the original publication. The three major concepts in Symonds approach are: (1) self-hate and shame are the key dynamics in post traumatic distress; (2) ordinary professional attitudes of those who are supposed to help often intensify the traumatized persons self-hate and shame. Martin Symonds called this is the second injury; and (3) to counteract the self-hate and the shame, the professional must adopt a much more active attitude and behavior—in contrast to the previous experience the traumatized individual has had with the world of helpers (including family and friends). Here, Symonds addresses the analysts’ vulnerability and shame and their role as active instruments against self-hate and shame.

The |[ldquo]|Second Injury|[rdquo]| to Victims of Violent Acts

This paper, originally published in 1980, is a significant contribution to the study of psychological trauma and its treatment; particularly countertransference aspects of that treatment. Initially it was widely cited but then became little known, largely because of the inaccessibility of the original publication. The three major concepts in Symonds approach are: (1) self-hate and shame are the key dynamics in post traumatic distress; (2) ordinary professional attitudes of those who are supposed to help often intensify the traumatized persons self-hate and shame. Martin Symonds called this is the second injury; and (3) to counteract the self-hate and the shame, the professional must adopt a much more active attitude and behavior—in contrast to the previous experience the traumatized individual has had with the world of helpers (including family and friends). Here, Symonds addresses the analysts’ vulnerability and shame and their role as active instruments against self-hate and shame.