In this commentary the author discusses and develops some points from Stuthridge's (2012) presentation about trauma, dissociation, enactments, and therapeutic action. The enduring impact of trauma and its relationship to the absence of an attuned other to ameliorate the experience is described. The nature of enactments is considered and a distinction is made between enactments and projective identification. The author also describes how clients and therapists can jointly defend against experiencing an enactment through the therapist's rescue fantasy. The article concludes with a brief examination of therapeutic action.
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