講演情報
[SY-84-01]Role of “stranger” in liminal spaces: Through the transformation of an international student
*Kanako Shimizu1,2 (1. Rokubancho Mental Clinic, Japan depression center (Japan), 2. Jichi Medical University, Department of Psychiatry (Japan))
キーワード：
transformation、stranger、developmental disorder、depression、international student
Studying abroad offers not only academic enrichment but also profound opportunities for psychological transformation. This presentation explores the case of an international student receiving mental health care at a psychiatric clinic in Japan. The patient presented with a mood disorder and developmental trauma. For such individuals, the host country often functions as a liminal space-a harsh yet sheltering boundary zone that facilitates psychological reorganization. Within the liminal space exempt from responsibility, the patient comes into contact with archetypal images, leading to a transformation of the internalized parental imago shaped by past abuse, and ultimately attaining a sense of authentic self-love. This case illustrates how the role of “stranger” can serve as a reparative journey, addressing narcissistic vulnerabilities rooted in early trauma and fostering self-establishment.