Search

The paper consists of the opening chapter of Andrew Samuels' book The Political Psyche, published in 1993, together with a retrospective introduction. In the chapter, the author discussed the possibilities and limitations of applying depth psychological thinking to social and political problematics. He situates the attempt to make such applications within a wider movement to refresh and reform Western political endeavours. He terms this wider project 'resacralization'. The author cautions against psychological reductionism and a simplistic approach to market-based capitalism, calling for a transformation of the latter to the degree possible. He links sociopolitical criticism and psychological writings on numinous experience, thereby connecting the worlds of politics and depth psychology without losing their separate and unique qualities., (© 2019, The Society of Analytical Psychology.)

Using a methodology derived from management and organizational studies, the author reviews the future of Jungian analysis. The methodology is termed SWOT - strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats. A selected list in each of these categories is presented. The author is transparent in allowing for the fact that the paper not only derives from a public lecture on the topic, but also retains the immediacy and the contrarian and opinionated style of such a lecture., (© 2017, The Society of Analytical Psychology.)

The idea of the “activist client” is intended to be taken both literally and metaphorically—applying to some extent to a wider range of clients than actual activists. The paper develops a set of ideas about a “political turn” in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, using the tag “the inner politician.” There is a focus on working directly with political material in the session, and the pros and cos of this practice are reviewed. Wider issues such as social responsibility and social spirituality are discussed, as well as an exploration of the limits of individual responsibility. Some specific topics covered in the paper include the political roots of depression, difficulties with the concept of the therapeutic alliance from the point of view of democratic perspectives on clinical work, and a challenge to the unquestioned valuing of empathy (based on a reading of therapy though a Brechtian lens). There are numerous clinical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The paper explores the application of ideas derived from psychotherapy to questions of economic and social policy. It is argued that disputes concerning human nature underlie many debates on economic theory. Class is reviewed from internal and emotional perspectives. Psychological obstacles to the achievement of economic inequality are explored and ways of overcoming them critically discussed. Particular attention is paid to the operation of economic sadism in the behaviour of individuals and societies. A range of possible gender differences in relation to money is reviewed. Inherited wealth is explored from the perspective of ‘therapy thinking’. The paper proposes that we reconsider what is deemed to be realistic and what is deemed to be (hopelessly) idealistic in thinking about economics. The paper concludes by proposing a deeper discussion of the problematic of sacrifice in connection with sustainable economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Writing as one engaged in the enterprise, the author discusses critically the possibilities and limitations of psychoanalytic and post-Jungian theorizing in connection with consultancy work in the field of organizations and corporations. Slippage between the individual and more collective perspectives is inevitable and, though intellectually inadequate, may turn out to be useful. Often in such work, the paucity of many approaches to leadership available to consultants becomes apparent. The author contributes some ideas of his own concerning the “good-enough leader.” In the next section of his response, the author discusses whether these consultancy interventions are of any use or not, and concludes, broadly speaking, caveat emptor. Finally, specific ethical challenges inherent in psychoanalytic consultancy work are identified and explored. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This is a reprint of an interview of Fred Plaut (who died in June 2009) conducted by Andrew Samuels in mid-1988 and first published in April 1989 in the Journal, 34, 2, pp. 159–83. The interview covers Plaut's early life, his career, and historical observations of the development of the Society of Analytical Psychology from its beginnings, and of the wider community of Jungian analysis. Plaut reflects uninhibitedly on such topics as the role of leadership in analytical psychology, discussing the parts played by Michael Fordham in London and Hannes Dieckmann in Berlin. Plaut explains his thinking concerning individuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's response to the paper about the future of transference-based therapies written by Lesley Murdin. It states that the possible reason Murdin wrote the paper is her knowledge that those practicing dialectical or dialogical cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) claim that they work with therapy relationship. The author believes that psychoanalytic leadership has indulged in the so called trahison des clercs, a term used in the Middle Ages to castigate the priests or clerics who are against the Pope.

The paper consists of the online discussion of Nancy Hollander's ‘Psyche, Ideology, and the Creation of the Political Subject’, summarized. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper consists of a discussion of Neil Altman's ‘Psychoanalysis and war’, which was conducted online through PsyBC in the fall of 2006. Discussants were a group of psychoanalytically oriented thinkers chosen by the author and Nancy Hollander, the author of the other paper included in the discussion. The paper represents the full discussion with only minor edits to correct typographical errors and improve clarity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a profile of the British health association Psychotherapists and Counselors for Social Responsibility (PCSR). Background on the formation of PCSR; Organizational objectives; Achievements in the field of psychoanalytic practice.

Discusses the intellectual relations of analytical psychology and National Socialism. Information on Carl Jung's attempt to establish a psychology of nations; Criticisms on Carl Jung's work in the general area of national psychology; Discussion on the Jung's intuitions about the importance of a psychology of cultural difference.

Focuses on pluralism, an attitude to conflict which tries to reconcile differences without imposing a false resolution. Pluralism as an ideology; Definition of political pluralism; Role of pluralism in the evaluation of tensions and oscillation within the psyche.

The article presents information on developments in the understanding of countertransference in psychoanalysis and analytical psychology. It is concluded that there is a consensus that some countertransference reactions are usable communications from the patient. Countertransferences are grouped as bodily; behavioural, feeling and phantasy reactions. Body and image emerge as key themes. This research leads to an examination of the "mundus imaginalis" in terms of countertransference and to the proposal of additional terms, analytical visions and bodily visions.

Presents the emergence of schools of post-jungian analytical psychology. Classification of analytical psychology; Common in the developments within the various schools of analytical psychology; Limits of analytical psychology.

Reviews the article 'Working With Latinos and the Use of Dream Analysis,' by R. Maduro, published in the 'Journal of American Academic Psychonalysis.'