Some considerations about the therapeutic potential of regression

Regressive phenomena have been curiously unfashionable for many years. When a regression occurs, especially a severe regression such as during a psychotic episode, it tends to be seen as a therapeutic threat, rather than as an opportunity for releasing healing potential. The purpose of this paper is to review diverse ideas about this phenomenon and present some clinical examples based on my work at the Arbours Crisis Centre. In so doing, I intend to present a fresh perspective about the positive therapeutic impact of regressive events.