Voice and Cure: The Significance of Voice in Repairing Early Patterns of Disregulation

This paper illustrates the value of the analyst’s awareness of the importance of her voice with its various intonations in the telephone treatment of a patient with early infant/mother attachment patterns of disregulation. The authors describe the significance of a particular kind of pervasive verbal intrusion by the patient’s mother and how through the use of voice pattern, tone, and rhythm in an extended period of telephone therapy, the patient was able to solidify a more secure attachment. Finally, the authors demonstrate how the verbal music in the analyst/patient and the mother/child dyads enhances self and interactive regulation.

Dorienne Sorter (Corresponding author)Email:

---

Kristin Miscall Brown, LCSW   graduated from PPSC’s training program in psychoanalysis in November 2007. She maintains a private practice in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis in New York City. Dorienne Sorter, PhD, LCSW   is co-chair, faculty, and supervisor at IPSS. Dr. Sorter is also a member of the Council of the International Association of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology. She is the co-author of Forms of Intersubjectivity in Infant Research and Adult Treatment, and faculty member and supervisor at PPSC.