An Analysis of Suicide at a Training Center

A psychodynamic formulation of the clinical data suggests that transference hostility and dependency provoked countertransference, counterhostility, and rejecting behavior on the part of the therapist; the suicides followed significant rejections.

Abstract

A retrospectiee analysis is reported of 32 cases of suicide. Six patients who were in psychotherapy at the time of suicide are described in detail. A psychodynamic formulation of the clinical data suggests that transference hostility and dependency provoked countertransference, counterhostility, and rejecting behavior on the part of the therapist; the suicides followed significant rejections. This insight may help the therapist to minimize the possibility of suicide among similar patients undergoing psychotherapy.