WALKING THE PATH OF THE CAT
THROUGH TRAUMA, GRIEF & RENEWAL
AN ADOLESCENT FINDS HIS WAY
Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 26, Number 1, 2017
Natasha Salter-Ling
Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
KEY WORDS: Sandplay, bereavement, trauma, death, mother, maternal loss, grief, depression, great mother archetype, anima, independence, symbol, cat, snake, animal, witness, underworld, water, cow, adolescence, clinical material, male, boy, adolescen, renewal.
ABSTRACT: This paper examines the symbolism of the cat, within its mythological, cultural and biological contexts. In the clinical example of an adolescent boy grieving after the loss of his mother, the symbol of the cat appears in each of his sandplay scenes, leading the way to healing and resolution. This process is viewed through the lens of the cat as witness, a bridge to the underworld, the anima and together in a transformative role with the snake. The cat as a symbol holds the dichotomy between opposing aspects of the great mother archetype. Through the patient’s sandplays the author follows the image of the cat as it guides the client towards a deeper understanding of the trauma he has experienced and a growing sense of independence.
In German
AUF DER SPUR DER KATZE
DURCH TRAUMA, TRAUER UND WIEDERHERSTELLUNG
FINDET EIN JUGENDLICHER SEINEN WEG
Natasha Salter-Ling
Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
SCHLAGWÖRTER: Sandspiel, Todesfall, Trauma, Tod, Mutter, Verlust der Mutter, Trauer, Depression, Archetyp der Großen Mutter, Anima, Unabhängigkeit, Symbol, Katze, Schlange, Tier, Zeuge, Unterwelt, Wasser, Kuh, Jugend, klinisches Fallbeispiel, männlich, Junge, Jugendlicher.
ABSTRACT: Dieser Beitrag untersucht das Symbol der Katze in der Therapie eines Jugendlichen der den Verlust seiner Mutter betrauert. Der Klient beginnt die Heilung des Traumas und entwickelt seinen Unabhängigkeitssinn.
In Portuguese
SEGUINDO O RUMO DO GATO
ATRAVES DE TRAUMA, LUTO E RENOVAÇÃO
UM ADOLESCENTE ACHA SEU CAMINHO
Natasha Salter-Ling
Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
PALAVRAS CHAVE: Sandplay, falecimento, perda, trauma, morte, mãe, perda materna, luto, depressão, arquétipo da grande mãe, anima, independência, símbolo, gato, serpente, cobra, animal, testemunha, agua, vaca, adolescente, material clínico, masculino, menino, adolescente.
In Spanish
CAMINANDO POR EL SENDERO DEL GATO
A TRAVÉS DE TRAUMA, DUELO Y RENOVACIÓN:
UN ADOLESCENTE ENCUENTRA SU CAMINO
Natasha Salter-Ling
Cambidgeshire, United Kingdom
PALABRAS SIGNIFICATIVAS: Terapia sandplay, duelo, trauma, muerte, madre, pérdida materna, depresión, arquetipo de gran madre, anima, independencia, simbolo, gato, serpiente, animal, testigo, submundo, agua, vaca, adolescencia, material clínico, masculino, muchacho, adolescente.
RESUMEN: Este artículo analiza el simbolismo de la lata en la terapia de un adolescente que está sufriendo por la pérdida de su madre. El cliente empieza a sanar del trauma y también crece su sentido de independencia.
In French
LE SENTIER DU CHAT PAR UN TRAUMATISME, CHAGRIN & RENOUVELLEMENT UN ADOLESCENT TROUVE SON CHEMIN
Natasha Salter-Ling
Cambidgeshire, United Kingdom
MOTS CLÉS: Thérapie de sandplay, deuil, traumatisme, mort, mère, maternelle perte, deuil, dépression, archétype de la grande mère, anima, l’indépendance, symbole, chat, serpent, animal, témoin, pègre, eau, vache, l’adolescence, matériel clinique, mâle, garçon, adolescent.
RÉSUMÉ: Cet article examine le symbolisme de la boîte dans la thérapie d’un adolescent qui est en deuil de la perte de sa mère. Le client commence à se guérir du traumatisme et son sentiment d’indépendance augmente également.