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Boarding School Syndrome: "Children in Boarding School Are Actually Children in Care"
Boarding School Syndrome: "Children in Boarding School Are Actually Children in Care"
Jan 26, 2023
Joy Schaverien
Jan 26, 2023
- Psychoanalyst Joy Schaverien coined the term Boarding School Syndrome
- In this interview with Alice McGurran, she describes what this means and how it shapes individuals and societies
- We have therapists who specialise in Boarding School Syndrome - find them here
Psychoanalyst Joy Schaverien was the first to coin the term Boarding School Syndrome, after patterns of behaviours and difficulties in her clients - and those of her colleagues - were found to be connected by one commonality: going to boarding school as a child.
Schaverien describes the ABCD's of Boarding School Syndrome as:
- Abandonment: the child has been left with strangers
- Bereavement: more than just homesickness, the child is bereaved
- Captivity: the child is captive in their new environment, often having to follow strict rules
- Dissociation: when the child is unable to come to terms with the pain of their bereavement, they often cut off and dissociate from their feelings
Joy Schaverien
Professor Joy Schaverien works as a Jungian analyst, psychotherapist and art psychotherapist in private practice. She supervises experienced practitioners and trainees. She also lectures at home and internationally on varied topics. Her research interests are reflected in her books and published articles.She is the author of Boarding School Syndrome: The Psychological Trauma of the 'Privileged' Child
