FIXATION ON CHILDHOOD PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA: WHY EXCESSIVE ATTENTION TO THE PAST CAN HARM THE CLIENT IN THE PROCESS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenon of fixation on childhood psychological trauma within the psychotherapeutic process and its potential risks for both the client and therapeutic outcomes. It is emphasized that excessive focus on reconstructing the past without sufficient emotional stabilization may not only hinder progress but also lead to retraumatization, identity rigidity, dissociative responses, and distortions of autobiographical memory. Within this context, the paper reviews contemporary trauma therapy approaches-from psychodynamic and cognitive frameworks to somatic and body-oriented modalities-highlighting the need for balanced methodologies that combine experiential depth with emotional safety. Particular attention is given to Focusing-Oriented Therapy (FOT), developed by Eugene Gendlin, as a therapeutic model that minimizes the risk of retraumatization while fostering integration of affective experience. The article explores the mechanisms through which FOT activates the “felt sense” as a bodily-grounded experiential process, enabling the transformation of implicit traumatic memory into coherent meaning structures that enhance self-regulation and psychological resilience. Recent empirical findings and systematic reviews are summarized, demonstrating the growing evidence base for body-oriented approaches in trauma-informed care. Drawing on clinical observations and practical examples, the conclusions emphasize that FOT represents a moderate, experiential, and empathy-based approach allowing safe and effective engagement with traumatic material. The article highlights the need for further randomized controlled trials to validate the specific therapeutic mechanisms of FOT and to develop guidelines for its standardized implementation in psychotherapeutic practice.