James O'neill 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 Phillips When 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.