Losing One's Partner, Losing One's Self: Helping a Patient Process the End of an Early Romantic Relationship Through Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

The literature on the psychotherapeutic treatment of individuals suffering from the dissolution of a significant romantic relationship is sparse, especially with regard to those who continue to reflect upon and struggle with a romantic breakup long after the event itself. The present case study explores the psychodynamically-oriented treatment of a young adult patient, with a focus on helping the patient process the ending of a significant romantic relationship from her late adolescence. A twice-weekly, long-term treatment provided a collaborative space to mourn the lost relationship, while facilitating a deepening understanding of the meaning and intensity of this relationship and its enduring effects on the patient's identity, agency, and subsequent romantic relationships. This case highlights the transformative potential of psychodynamic psychotherapy to foster a patient's growth following the dissolution of a romantic relationship.