Breaking Silence

We believe that people who have undergone extreme traumatic experiences must have their reality acknowledged and their ways to survive deeply respected. (Bowlby Centre Philosophy, 2026)

The image we have chosen for the front cover of this journal is of a sculpture, or vase, made of horse hair. Horse hair is incredibly strong, and natural, a sign of vitality and strength, but in the form of a vase is exquisitely fragile and delicate. The object is able to contain some things, but not others, such as liquids. Like much therapeutic work, its boundaries are permeable, and its frame flexible but strong. It holds space. Hair falls from an animal or human, and is often treated as waste material, blown in the wind, removed from plug holes, discarded in waste bins. But here, the artist recognises it as something precious, something that can be used, and can be of value and beauty. Like therapy, it holds space and form, but in the hands of an artist, is graceful and almost without effort.

Recognising the value, fragility, and beauty in the natural world is fundamental to our humanity, and something easily lost, threatened, or destroyed. Once gone, it might never return, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Through recognising the value and beauty of the natural world, we also recognise something of our own human beauty and value, and that of others. In recent months, we have witnessed growing escalation of destruction and violence in the Middle East with horror.

It is significant that we have included in this edition an article by psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Dr Maryam Masoomi and her colleagues writing about the experiences of Iranian patients when their analysts migrate. We recognise and honour the courage it has taken to write this research, live through these experiences, and present this research for publication. We also acknowledge the privilege that those living in nations who are currently more peaceful enjoy, and offer our kinship-in-the-same-darkness.

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