Making spaces: putting psychoanalytic thinking to work

This book argues for the value and application of psychoanalytic thinking beyond, as well as within, the consulting room. Inspired by a Scottish psychoanalytic tradition that owes much to W.R.D. Fairbairn and J.D. Sutherland, the Scottish Institute of Human Relations has provided a valuable reference point for the work described in the book. It illustrates how the coming together of human beings into a shared space fosters opportunities to create loving, collaborative relationships in which to work and from which to grow. The book's first section explores how psychoanalytic thinking developed in Scotland, while section two focuses on work with children, families and couples, showing how psychoanalytic perspectives can be used to strengthen capacities for loving relationships. The chapters in section three show how psychoanalysis can be applied in such varied settings as psycho-social research, education, institutional development and organisational consultancy. The fourth section pursues this theme further, considering the potential of psychoanalytic concepts to enhance work in religious ministry, in medical and psychiatric services, and in understanding the processes of ageing. The book shows how psychoanalytic thinking can be put to work in a variety of professional contexts to create spaces in which we learn to love, work and grow.

COVER -- CONTENTS -- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -- ABOUT THE EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS -- FOREWORD -- PART I OPENING UP SPACES FOR PSYCHOANALYTIC THINKING -- CHAPTER ONE The development of psychoanalytic spaces in Scotland: historical overview and introduction -- CHAPTER TWO Inner and outer worlds: then and now -- CHAPTER THREE A liminal practice? Making interdisciplinary spaces for psychoanalysis -- PART II MAKING SPACE TO LOVE -- CHAPTER FOUR The "Fort Da" game and other stories from infant observation -- CHAPTER FIVE Learning from experience: developing observation skills and reflective thinking in social work practice with children and families -- CHAPTER SIX Scotland the Brave: freedom to roam between individual, family, systemic, and social perspectives in psychoanalytic work with children and young people -- CHAPTER SEVEN The perinatally depressed couple and the work of mourning: a developmental imperative -- PART III MAKING SPACE TO WORK -- CHAPTER EIGHT Temenos or ivory tower? Academic pedagogy through a psychodynamic lens -- CHAPTER NINE Precious gift or poisoned chalice: what does psychoanalysis offer to social research? -- CHAPTER TEN The inner voice: building the institution in …