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We present a model of collaboration between two analysts, one (Phyllis Cohen) in the role of primary therapist of a severely depressed young woman, and the other (Beatrice Beebe) in the role of consultant for a concurrent mother-infant treatment. The psychoanalytically informed treatment of Linda, mother of a 3-year-old and an infant, was conducted on a three-times weekly basis. We report on the treatment during the infant's first three years of life, during which time seven videotaped feedback intervention sessions with Dr. Beebe occurred. These sessions were used as an adjunct to the mother's individual therapy with Dr. Cohen.
Linda was referred to me (Phyllis Cohen) one month after the birth of her second son, Dan. She was feeling severely “depressed, nervous, scared, dizzy, and lightheaded.” These feelings had begun toward the end of her pregnancy, which was medically normal. She was afraid she had a brain tumor that would not be detected. She did not want to get out of bed. On the day that her sister first contacted me, Linda had called her older sister, weakly crying, “Please help me. I can't go on any more. Please help me end it all.” Although her husband had been generally supportive of her, recently he had become impatient.
The sister brought Linda to her first session. Linda was in a very regressed state. She needed assistance to walk. She was lethargic and despondent, but she was able to ask, “Can you help me?” In lieu of hospitalization, the sister, Linda, and I together decided to try three-times-per-week individual therapy sessions. A psychiatric consultation yielded diagnoses of panic disorder and severe postpartum depression. Zoloft, Xanax, and Valium were prescribed. An M.R.I, ruled out any physical causes.