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The work of Wilfred Bion, by its very nature being a major step forward in the psychoanalytical model making of the mental apparatus, will undoubtably require many years for its full assimilation into the thought and practice of workers in the field. To assist this process of assimilation two types of exposition are required: to help students read Bion's work in a comprehending way; and to show the way to the clinical application of this revolutionary modification of the working mosel of the mind.

The social sciences and psychology see the origins of human experience from opposite directions: the inner world of the individual vs demands by society to conform. Politicians tend to follow the ideas of the social scientists and mostly ignore unconscious factors. Psychoanalysts, on the other hand, tend to focus on the human unconscious and mostly ignore the complexities of society, economics, and history. Yet, both disciplines are rooted in humanity. Social forces impact on individuals; and society is but the creation of individuals themselves. Thus, factors from both sources have validity and must impact on each other. Hinshelwood has turned to psychoanalysis as the subjective science, to balance the attempted objectivity of social sciences. The creation of a psychosocial model to bring the sparring disciplines together has been attempted many times on a conceptual level but Hinshelwood starts with a singularly interesting convergence at the level of observation. At a time where we face the imminent collapse of human civilisation, and possible extinction of the human species, it is important we attempt to understand the processes that have led us here. We need to find out where the forces of society and the imperatives of our individual selves converge in these particular threats. In order to regenerate some real optimism for our future, we need psychoanalysis to investigate the unconscious dynamics in where we went wrong. A predominant theme identified by Hinshelwood is the gradual, long-term dehumanisation of humans, which has led to widespread alienation from both society and the self. This takes place alongside the convergence of the value of money with the value of a person. Hinshelwood's use of the psychoanalytic theory of the unconscious mind to investigate humanity, society, and capitalism brings fresh insight to the intractable fractures we see in our social systems worldwide and hope for change.

A deep but light conversation about society and psychoanalysis for an impatient and untrusting world. Two leading psychoanalysts engage in a highly original, convivial dialogue, inviting the reader to pause and reflect on changes in psychoanalysis and our way of life. This accessible read is aimed at a non-specialist audience and insiders.

Thinking back on over fifty years' experience as a therapist and supervisor, Michael Jacobs invites you to pause and reflect with him on some of the fascinating and crucial aspects of the therapeutic relationship. A book to be savoured like a fine wine, full of wisdom from a life in the field, offering space for thought in today's frenetic world.

This book was written to meet the need of therapists: a succinct, thorough, practical, clear, down-to-earth handbook to which a therapist can refer as needed. Many, if not most, therapists have encountered a victim of complex mind control and ritual abuse, and most therapists feel deskilled in this work. Working with such clients is a challenge for therapists, given the extreme and prolonged nature of the clients' trauma, the severity of their dissociative disorders, the complexity of the mind control they have experienced, and the reality of organised perpetrator groups who follow up on their victims. Every therapist needs to know the basics of this work. Chapter 1 defines and explains dissociation, ritual abuse, and mind control. It lists indicators which suggest a client may be a victim, and recommends developing 'reflective belief (or possibly) disbelief' rather than maintaining 'therapeutic neutrality'. Chapter 2, The therapeutic relationship, describes victims' training to not form bonds, the parental nature of the therapeutic bond with such clients, and practical ways to relate to someone dealing with internal multiplicity. Chapter 3, The life of a mind control survivor, describes victims' planned experiences from infancy all the way through adulthood. Chapter 4, Engineered personality systems, describes the most common forms of training or programming, and the 'jobs' of inner parts of the victim. Chapter 5, Stabilisation and internal safety, explains the way in which some parts punish the victim for disloyalty by creating destabilising symptoms. Chapter 6, Working with the personality system, describes internal hierarchies and how to work with them. Chapter 7, Present-day physical safety, looks at the ongoing torture and harassment of many victims by perpetrator groups, and describes the training of various parts to return to the perpetrators, report to them, and be available for further abuse. Chapter 8, Working through the traumatic memories, gives guidelines regarding how to help a client work through the numerous traumatic training memories. Chapter 9, Confronting the spiritual issues in ritual abuse, describes the perpetrators' spiritual/moral abuse and simulation of spiritual entities. It discusses the question of demonic possession, and looks at the real spiritual issues which victims and therapists must deal with. Chapter 10, Healing for our clients and ourselves, discusses victims' emotional healing, grieving, developing self-esteem and integration, and therapists' intimidation and vicarious traumatisation.

We have become fixated on ascent in our lives: achieving more, being quicker, and rising up. But what if we are missing the richest life lessons by repressing the difficulties we experience? Both ascent and descent are vital in life. Yet, whilst we are educated on how best to ascend, it is rare we are supported as we descend. Instead, we are encouraged to hide those times from ourselves and others. Richard's descent was epic. From playing lead roles on West-End stages to receiving a diagnosis of three months to live with a rare cancer. In this heartfelt and moving story, Richard offers a glimpse into his year of monumental descent. He invites us to accompany him as he navigates loss, grief, and heartache in a tale of the beauty and the ugliness of the human condition. How, when illness struck, unexpected love and compassion became the secret healer. Something Richard was determined to share by setting up a charity for others with blood cancer. As a Kite Falls offers food for thought and medicine for the soul. Richard's humility, humour, and grace shine through on every page. He uses the flow of the seasons and the deceptively simple art of haiku to bring us closer to the importance of space and pause in our lives. Richard's training in psychotherapy adds a deeper layer of understanding of what it means to be human, while acknowledging that none of us can truly make sense of the load others carry. In a world drowning in noise, As a Kite Falls gifts us a place of quietening down to listen to our own whispers.

In Christopher Bollas' Streams of Consciousness, a wide spectrum of theory and practice are explored, sometimes appearing in simple fragments, sometimes via complex lines of thinking that are developed in detail over time. As Bollas revisits the received truths and dogmas of his profession - including his own prejudices - he demonstrates the value of open, intelligent uncertainty. Interspersed with clinical preoccupations, which highlight the richness as well as the bewildering complexity of psychoanalysis, we find other ideas that reflect his early life as political activist, literature professor, and cultural critic. Throughout, the notebooks are enriched by references to the work of numerous writers in many fields who have influenced his thinking. This work is essential reading for all with an interest in psychoanalysis which will enrich both academic study and clinical practice.

In Christopher Bollas' Streams of Consciousness, a wide spectrum of theory and practice are explored, sometimes appearing in simple fragments, sometimes via complex lines of thinking that are developed in detail over time. As Bollas revisits the received truths and dogmas of his profession - including his own prejudices - he demonstrates the value of open, intelligent uncertainty. Interspersed with clinical preoccupations, which highlight the richness as well as the bewildering complexity of psychoanalysis, we find other ideas that reflect his early life as political activist, literature professor, and cultural critic. Throughout, the notebooks are enriched by references to the work of numerous writers in many fields who have influenced his thinking. This work is essential reading for all with an interest in psychoanalysis which will enrich both academic study and clinical practice.

In Short: Private Notes of a Psychoanalyst is wise, uplifting and inspiring. Salman Akhtar brings his talent for poetic literature to gift us 111 pithy 'proto-essays' on a wide range of subjects. His meditations touch upon mental health, humor, death, animals, Freud, religion, children, and so much more. He imparts his advice with the lightest of touches, willing you to partake, consider, and refine his offerings. His aim: to further the cause and message of his beloved psychoanalysis.

The focus of this volume is on groups. The intention is to go beyond taking things at face value by going deeper and exploring the underlying, less evident phenomena concerning groups which occur beneath the surface. The more frequently used approach is to study the behaviour of individuals in a group to create an understanding of group behaviour. The approach taken here is to study groups from the perspective of the group as a whole, which provides a totally different perspective. Thus, while individual actions and relationships in groups is a valid field of study, the group as a whole is another level and unit of study. The book begins with pre-conference activity, particularly the need for 'authority', and a discussion on the importance and understanding of the group as a whole. The subsequent chapters follow the usual structure of IGO group relations conferences (GRCs). The aim is to develop a deeper understanding of group relations learning. This is in no way a substitute for the vital learning from experiential opportunities provided by actual GRCs. By attending, we are able to learn from the way(s) we take up our roles or are mobilised by the group to take up roles, and to understand that our valency can result in us being used repeatedly in the same way. The learning is rich and valuable because it happens in the here and now in direct experience. The book is the perfect guide to group relations conferences for experienced and novice participants alike to enhance their group relations learning experiences. It serves as an excellent introduction to GRCs for the novice and is ideal for those who have attended GRCs to explore their own experiences and emotions. The learning opportunities provide powerful insights to individuals and other group members. Everything that happens at a GRC is done for the learning of the members.

Editors Michael B. Buchholz and Aleksandar Dimitrijevic' are joined by Ana Altaras Dimitrijevic', Uta Blohm, Roger Frie, Stephen Frosh, Babette Gekeler, Gail A. Hornstein, and Hans-Christoph Ramm to share their knowledge, research, and experience on these dark issues. Encountering Silencing is an invitation to closely observe the very practices and processes of silencing used by perpetrators of abuse and totalitarian institutions alike. A carefully selected group of contributors reveal the dark side of communication that silences victims, witnesses, and perpetrators: women, religious heretics, gifted children, victims of racism, psychoanalytic dissidents, and psychiatric patients; individuals and groups, total strangers and one's family members, as well as one own self. All of these forms of silencing are analysed with the help of literature, historiography, interviewing, archival research, and psychoanalytic and family therapy. This book helps us to face the seemingly inevitable conclusion that silencing is everywhere in our individual and social lives, and that it is the silencing of trauma that leads to mental disorders more than trauma itself. The hope is that by opening up these topics in a considered, containing, and thoughtful way, the underlying mechanisms of trauma-related disorders will be better understood and help victims to overcome them. Encountering Silencing is the first in a series of three books on this vital but overlooked subject.

With contributions from Salman Akhtar, Jerome Blackman, Michael Civin, Lois Choi-Kain, Nilofer Kaul, M. Sagman Kayatekin, Z. Emel Kayatekin Nina Savelle-Rocklin, and Ann Smolen. Unlit Corners endeavours to bring light to neglected character traits which many struggle to overcome. Filled with relevant case studies and carefully crafted psychoanalytic theory, the book elucidates the multilayered nature of such psychopathologies and its treatment. Beginning in the public realm, Nina Savelle-Rocklin explores the complex meaning of 'dirtiness, ' both literally and figuratively, relating it the body, mind, and language. Ann Smolen's investigation of miserliness follows, where she emphasizes that it is not about money, but instead arises from the poverty of internal good objects, which are the basic source of generosity. Jerome Blackman examines the nuanced potential meanings of shyness using psychopathology and underlying etiology, while Lois Choi-Kain deftly categorizes outrageousness into three types: a guilt-driven masochist, a hope-driven optimist, and a hate-driven sadist, with a subcategory for creative writers and artists. The more private traits start with shallowness. Michael Civin develops 'shallow' as a general construct and studies it from a psychoanalytic perspective, arguing that no human being can be described accurately as shallow. The Kayatekins come next with their study of indecisiveness and the role of the ego as a way of understanding this trait. Nilofer Kaul looks at 'restlessness' and its associations in psychoanalysis, literature, and culture. The final chapter comes from Salman Akhtar on the subject of cowardliness, where he links it to the lack of self-protective devices emanating from breeches in the early mother-child bond and deficient identification with the same-sex parent. This book is highly recommended to clinicians to give them the tools to not only understand and empathize with their patient's struggles but also to enhance their capacity to help them overcome such struggles.

Psychoanalysis is a valuable tool to add to the sciences and the arts: all contain unconscious hidden depths that can become insight and understanding and contribute to humanity as culture. Using the prism of art, music, and storytelling, Jonathan Sklar takes psychoanalytic thought to a wide audience to enable a greater understanding of humanity.

Christopher Bollas proposes ordinary conversation as a distinct literary genre that shares certain formal qualities with poetry, prose, and drama. We converse with others and with ourselves, and he capitalises on the unique irony of this convergence, often to hilarious effect, but with a disturbing undertone that opens new perspectives.

This enlightening volume examines the origins and development of the International Federation of Psychoanalytic Societies (IFPS). It investigates how its structure and concept differed from other societies, and how the autonomy of IFPS members has remained fundamental from its inception up to the present day.

One of the most important representatives and promoters of Kleinian psychoanalysis, Herbert Rosenfeld was a pioneer in the psychoanalytic treatment of psychotic patients. Through his work with this cohort, he developed the theory of destructive narcissism and opened up a deeper understanding of psychosis and successful treatment of these disorders.

Through the examination of clinical material, myths, literature, and personal reflections, Louis Rothschild takes a psychoanalytic lens to fatherhood. His work illuminates fatherhood as a time of potentiality and active development for both parents and children while simultaneously revealing nurturing capacities as central to masculinity.

Flourishing Love is a secular defence of marriage and long-term intimate partnership. It rejects a moral-religious code to govern love lives and instead puts its faith in the human potential for couples to be benevolent, loyal, and forgiving to preserve and enhance their romantic union. Dr Gnaulati draws on a variety of sources to present the joint emotional upkeep necessary to make an intimate relationship not just satisfactory, but vital, and to illustrate what these lasting bonds look like. The latest science, anecdotes from his own 30-year marriage as well as from his psychotherapy practice, the musings of ancient and contemporary philosophers, and real-life interviews from partners in long-term happy marriages and intimate unions are all used to reveal the secrets to a successful romantic partnership. The result is a how-to of engaging in attentive and sensitive communication; employing a fairness habit of mind around household chores, childrearing responsibilities, and finances; optimally moving through and beyond conflict; keeping an erotic spark alive; and ethically handling urges to stray outside the couple. A must-read for all those who crave meaning, happiness, and fulfilment in life and need their romantic partnerships to help, not hinder, in this endeavour.

Sigmund Freud hired Otto Rank as his secretary and funded Rank's PhD in literature at the University of Vienna. In 1910, at age 26, Rank published 'A Dream That Interprets Itself'. Freud could not praise the essay highly enough; impressed by Rank's erudition, Freud invited his protege to contribute two chapters, on poetry and myth, in 1914 to The Interpretation of Dreams. Thereafter, Rank's name would appear under Freud's on the title page of the foundational text of psychoanalysis for the next fifteen years. Grateful for Freud's generosity, Rank published a stream of articles and books advancing psychoanalytic thinking into almost every area of the arts and humanities, thus demonstrating to Freud's critics that the validity of psychoanalysis did not hinge solely on his autobiographical work The Interpretation of Dreams. Rank died in 1939 and his work fell out of favor until a renaissance of interest beginning in the 1970s. This is the first English translation of Rank's masterpiece of dream interpretation, originally published in 1910 as "Ein Traum, der sich selbst deutet" in the journal Jahrbuch fur Psychoanalytische und Psychopathologische Forschungen, 2(2): 465-540. It is accompanied by an in-depth introduction from editor Robert Kramer, the world's only Rankian psychologist. The book is essential reading for all psychoanalytic scholars, practitioners, and historians, and those interested in dream analysis.

With contributions from Prachi Akhavi, Salman Akhtar, Cuneyt Iscan, Surreya Iscan, Alan Michael Karbelnig, Kelsey Leon, Clara Mucci, Nina Savelle-Rocklin, Asmita Sharma, Julian Stern, and Thomas Wolman. Food matters begin even before birth with the absorption of nutrients in the womb and continue through baby feeds, family meals, school dinners, barbecues with friends, and romantic meals to the growing dietary restrictions of old age. The role of food is not limited to its life-giving necessity but plays a huge role in communal bonding, cultural tradition, and self-expression. Food Matters investigates the significant role that food plays in all of our lives and is divided into three major sections: Mostly biological, Mostly psychological, and Mostly sociological. 'Mostly' because biology, psychology, and sociology are not hermetically sealed subject areas and overlaps into other fields are to be expected. Part I: Mostly biological consists of two chapters. The first pertains to food and health, the second to food and illness. At its core, Chapter One aims to undermine the notion of 'healthy choices' and demonstrate a more nuanced vision of what actually builds healthy communities. The varied case material of Chapter Two shows the myriad roles food can play in relation to illness. Part II: Mostly psychological has four chapters, which respectively address the relationship between food and sexuality, aggression, narcissism, and morality using wide-ranging theory and practical case examples. Part III: Mostly sociological has three chapters. The first pertains to money, the second to immigration, and the third to movies, again packed with relevant theory and clinical vignettes, and, in the case of the final chapter, using the movies Waitress and Babette's Feast to show the central role food plays, even in our fictional lives. This welcome smorgasbord of ideas from an international array of contributors representing the disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, psychoanalysis, anthropology, and gastroenterology will be essential reading for professionals and academics in those fields and will shed fresh light on the subject for anyone with an interest in the multifaceted meanings of food matters.

Leadership goes well beyond efficient management, and the significance of emotions on the success of organisations is often underestimated. In Leading With Depth: The Impact of Emotions and Relationships, Claudia Nagel guides us through the emotional and relational fallacies of organisational leadership from both the personal and the systemic perspective. Nagel expertly weaves theory, including attachment, neuroscientific, psychodynamic, psychosocial, and psychoanalytic, with practical advice. She looks at the leader as an individual and leadership as a context within systems such as groups, organisations, and societies. The book is divided into two parts and contains thirty-eight figures to illustrate important aspects of leadership. The first chapter in each part is purely theoretical followed by more method-oriented and practical chapters, which are complemented by pertinent case studies from well-known experts in the field (coaches, consultants, or academics). Contributors include Gilles Amado, Birgitte Bonnerup, Phil Boxterk, Halina Brunning, Annemette Hasselager, Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries, Olya Khaleelee, Fiona Martin, Ajit Menon, Rose Mersky, Mal O'Connor, Larissa Philatova, Martin Ringer, Rob Ryan, and Kalina Stamenova. Each chapter concludes with a brief overview of the key learnings for the reader to take away. In this way, Nagel encourages practical learning and application and engagement with the text. Nagel's clear language spares the reader of academic jargon and is highly readable. The book successfully bridges the gap from theoretical concepts to real-life application and will be of value to incoming and experienced leaders alike, as well as organisational consultants and executive coaches looking to inform their practice.

The book includes contributions from Audrey Adeyemi, Tasha Bailey, Kelly Brackett, Jamie Butterworth, Alix Hearn, Evania Inward, Irene Mburu, Sasha Morphitis, Magda Raczynska, Nadja Rolli, Zisi Schleider, and Anna Tuttle. One Tree, Many Branches: The Practice of Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the pioneering child and adolescent psychotherapy and counselling training organisation Terapia and the achievements of its trainees, tutors, and staff, who provide highly specialised counselling, psychotherapy, and bespoke mental health services for young people, children, parents, and families. Terapia works with individuals, organisations, schools, and the statutory and non-statutory sector and is a strong voice for child psychotherapy as a distinct and specialist profession. Therapeutic work with children requires a different set of skills and knowledge to that of adult psychotherapists. For example, much of the work is non-verbal and uses play and metaphor alongside talking. It also requires involvement with the system around the child, such as parents, families, and professionals, and the management of conflicting agendas and politics to act on behalf of the child. Subjects discussed within its pages include ecopsychotherapy, autism, the lack of male psychotherapists, working with refugees, racial trauma, female genital mutilation, working in closed communities, and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The book is essential reading for all who work with children and opens up exciting and pioneering new approaches for meeting the multifarious needs of our children and adolescents today.

Salman Akhtar presents three rich essays brimming with psychoanalytic theory on personality development and how such knowledge enhances treatment. Essay 1 starts at the earliest infancy and takes the reader all along the path past adolescence. It addresses key developmental landmarks, including: Establishing a satisfactory parental bond Moving towards autonomy and independence Acquiring a moral sense Consolidating identity. Essay 2 picks up after adolescence. It addresses the psychosocial challenges characteristic of young adulthood, midlife, and old age, such as: Assuming the role of a wage-earner and "e;house-holder"e; Enjoying sex, love, and marriage Downsizing and retiring from one's job Dealing with the deaths of friends and family and facing one's own mortality. Essay 3 builds upon the theory that has gone before and examines how a deepened understanding of psychic development can inform the clinician's approach. With an emphasis on development as a lifelong process, this essay provides clear guidelines for facilitating such growth, including: Creating psychic space for thinking Helping the patient find words for inner experiences Validating the patient's reality Enhancing the sense of personal agency in the patient. The complex tapestry woven by these three essays is extended by a prologue and an epilogue. The prologue opens with the "e;pre-self"e; - events before birth that impact on who we become. The epilogue discusses the "e;post-self"e; - how we "e;live on"e; as memories held by those who knew us. In Leaps and Bounds deepens the understanding of the nuances of human development. It is key reading for practising and trainee psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists to enhance their clinical practice. It is highly recommended for all enquiring minds looking to expand their knowledge of what makes us who we are.

Andrew Feldmar is one of the most popular and widely read psychotherapists in Hungary. Credo, widely regarded as his best work, is his English debut. A gripping philosophical and autobiographical memoir, Credo lays bare an inspirational life and offers a fascinating insight into the work of R. D. Laing and the birth of radical psychotherapy.

Lover, Exorcist, Critic uses analogies to explain how mutative processes unfold. Psychoanalytic practitioners attend carefully to patients (thus the lover analogy), process their projections (via the exorcist), and critique problems in their life-long plot lines (via the critic).

Marisa Pelella Melega draws on a broad spectrum of clinical and observational work, gathered over many years as a practising and teaching psychoanalyst based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The role of symbol formation as a goal in psychoanalysis, and an indicator of developmental progress, has always been recognised. The post-Kleinian understanding of its operation has advanced since Bion's theory of thinking and Meltzer's elucidation of the role of 'dream life', which view the desire for knowledge as the resolution of emotional conflict, with symbol formation being the primary mental mechanism. Melega discusses illustrative examples from newborn infants, children of different ages, adolescents and adults, to illustrate her longstanding fascination with the process of symbol formation and its vicissitudes, including those transference moments at which symbols are forged during the analytic session.