The author explores the underlying mechanics of the treatment of an adolescent girl, from the establishment of the treatment setting, through handling of a massive transference, up to the support offered to attempts at disengagement. Transference, in its various representations – disharmonic, negative, lateral – is considered with reference to the bonds maintained with the transitional object, which, once used and abused, lets itself be releggated to limbo in order to allow for the investment of new objects.

Adolescence, 2025, 43, 2, 325-336.