Undressing

In O Neill’s book - at once a case-history, a novella, and something more than either - we have a remarkable story of what two people can do for each other if they can experiment with trust. Adam PhillipsWhen therapist-in-training James O Neill starts his placement at a therapy centre in west London, his first referral is Abraham, a silent and frightened young man in a tightly-zipped, hooded anorak.For the majority of their initial sessions, Abraham hardly speaks. But O Neill gradually gains his trust and learns of the abuse and violence Abraham was subjected to as a child that caused him to hide away from the world - barely sleeping, too afraid to get undressed even in the shower.Over the many years they meet, Abraham s unfolding story and bravery inspire O Neill to confront his own complicated past. Together they achieve something radical, as Abraham creates his own kind of therapy and teaches O Neill to do the same.