The Many Voices of Psychoanalysis spans over thirty years of Roger Kennedy's work as a practicing psychoanalyst, providing a fascinating insight into the process of development of psychoanalytic identity. The introduction puts the papers into context, charting the development of the author’s practice and understanding of psychoanalysis and his position as part of the British Independent tradition. The intention of the chapters is to address the 'many voices' of psychoanalysis - the many roles and approaches a psychoanalyst may take, while adhering to the established ideas of psychoanalysis. The author takes into account the various influences which shape the psychoanalytic voice, drawing on literature, philosophy and sociology as well as analytic ideas. Subjects covered include: aspects of consciousness - one voice or many? handling the dual aspect of the transference bearing the unbearable - working with the abused mind the internal drama - psychoanalysis and the theatre a psychoanalyst in the family court. This book will be of use not only to practicing psychoanalysts, but also to psychoanalytic psychotherapists and other mental health workers. It will also appeal to anyone interested in the relationship between psychoanalysis and related disciplines.

Part of the Tavistock Clinic Series, this book focuses on narrative and stories in Family Systems Therapy - particularly on how stories develop within the domain of a therapist's own theoretical, clinical and professional contexts. The aim is to allow the reader to understand the uses of stories in family therapy.This book offers a comprehensive overview of issues related to narrative which appear in a family therapy setting. Originally embarking on a joint project to share clinical experience, members of the Family Systems Group at the Tavistock Clinic discovered that what was common in their work was their emphasis on narrative. This discovery led in time to the development of a shared discourse about their diverse approaches to narrative which are carefully reflected in the contributions in this volume. Part One sets out the context of narrative with contributions on bilingualism and the family's experience of therapy, ending with a thought provoking critique of narrative. Part Two concentrates on applications of these ideas, providing analysis of multiple narratives in illness and loss, gender and language, neonatal care, adoption, divorce and refugee families.

Drawing on deep reserves of experience and theoretical and research knowledge, Nancy McWilliams presents a fresh perspective on psychodynamic supervision in this highly instructive work. McWilliams examines the role of the supervisor in developing the therapist's clinical skills, giving support, helping to formulate and monitor treatment goals, and providing input on ethical dilemmas. Filled with candid clinical examples, the book addresses both individual and group supervision. Special attention is given to navigating personality dynamics, power imbalances, and various dimensions of diversity in the supervisory dyad. McWilliams guides mentors and mentees alike to optimize this unique relationship as a resource for lifelong professional learning and growth.

Whereas Freud himself viewed conscience as one of the functions of the superego, in The Still Small Voice: Psychoanalytic Reflections on Guilt and Conscience, the author argues that superego and conscience are distinct mental functions and that, therefore, a fourth mental structure, the conscience, needs to be added to the psychoanalytic structural theory of the mind. He claims that while both conscience and superego originate in the so-called pre-oedipal phase of infant and child development they are comprised of contrasting and often conflicting identifications. The primary object, still most often the mother, is inevitably experienced as, on the one hand, nurturing and soothing and, on the other, as frustrating and persecuting. Conscience is formed in identification with the nurturer; the superego in identification with the aggressor. There is a principle of reciprocity at work in the human psyche: for love received one seeks to return love; for hate, hate (the talion law).

This book explores what 'critical' means for the talking therapies in a climate of increasing state influence and intervention. It looks at theoretical and practical notions of 'critical' from perspectives including queer theory, feminism, Marxism, the psychiatric survivor movement, as well as from within counsellor training and education.

Marco's curiosity has captured me from the very beginning. His surprising openness has impressed and touched me. I have found in his writing the gentle and free thinking of a child, a child curious to explore the analytic perspectives developed in North America, which also attract me for what I perceive as being their creativity - a creativity which I did not find in my own country, which is one of the reasons why I left it. Through his words I understood how important the history of psychoanalysis can be for us analytic candidates. It promotes an openness towards new worlds and new thoughts, allowing us to meet our fathers and to come in touch with their legacy. If this happens, this will allow us also to more easily find our own analytic identity. It is by establishing connections with little known paths and by looking for unexplored itineraries that we find our identity as human beings and even more as analysts. Freud himself gave priority to the yet unknown and unexplored aspects of our mental life. To meet the history of our field means not only getting to know other worlds and other lives, but also unexpectedly meeting pieces of our worlds and our life in unexplored continents. I thank Marco who, through his book, gives us the possibility to travel with him and get so well in touch with our multiple legacies. Chiara Bille, Argentinian Psychoanalytic Association

This book focuses on Samuel Beckett's psychoanalytic psychotherapy with W. R. Bion as a central aspect both of Beckett's and Bion's radical transformations of literature and psychoanalysis. The recent publication of Beckett's correspondence during the period of his psychotherapy with Bion provides a starting place for an imaginative reconstruction of this psychotherapy, culminating with Bion's famous invitation to his patient to dinner and a lecture by C.G. Jung. Following from the course of this psychotherapy, Miller and Souter trace the development of Beckett's radical use of clinical psychoanalytic method in his writing, suggesting the development within his characters of a literary-analytic working through of transference to an idealized auditor known by various names, apparently based on Bion. Miller and Souter link this pursuit to Beckett's breakthrough from prose to drama, as the psychology of projective identification is transformed to physical enactment.