I attended a weekend component of my course yesterday and today on family therapy and the use of sandtrays. It is generally held by those in the know that the birth of Family Therapy method occurred around the middle of the 1950s. It is, therefore, very recent. Previously all psychological problems were primarily seen as individual
Family therapy and sandtrays in Psychotherapy Read More »
TheoryI have always thought that we are all a little obsessive and compulsive to a greater or lesser extent whether it is the checking and rechecking we do in our every day lives or the occasional intrusive thought that cause us anxiety. However, for some people the incidence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can destroy their lives
The treatment of OCD and BDD in the NHS Read More »
TheoryI have often wondered about the impact of role models in my life whether it be the role played by my parents, siblings, teachers, friends or other significant others. I have benefited from the insightful work of Alfred Adler, and his ideas about the birth order, especially since I am from a large family. My personal family constellations
Emulate those you admire but look at yourself when you starting resenting others Read More »
TheoryThis week’s lecture was the concluding one on Transactional Analysis. Dr Eric Berne’s seminar group from the 1950s developed the term transactional analysis (TA) which described therapies based upon his work. This expanded into the International Transactional Analysis Association. While still largely ignored by the psychoanalytic community, many therapists have put his ideas into practice and swear by the effectiveness of
The only theory paper worth writing is how to cure patients Read More »
TheoryThis week’s very interesting lecture was on Transactional Analysis (TA). When it comes to TA we have a lot to thank Eric Berne. TA is observational and is to do with time structuring. How do clients spend their time? What script are clients using? Berne believed that our script personality was established by age 7. TA is most researched
Transactional Analysis: I’m ok you’re ok Read More »
TheoryMy extended interview with systemic psychotherapist, social worker and researcher Dr Marie Keenan, author of Child Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church Gender, Power, and Organizational Culture. The interview was conducted at UCD in November 2011. Specialising in the area of crime, sexual abuse and sexual offending, Dr. Keenan’s most recent research involves a study of
The different initiations in a relationship was part of the alchemy of relationships weekend. What happens when you first fall in love? You see something of the ideal or you project your ideal. So what is the ideal, what are you projecting? Your own higher self is being projected onto that person. You are idolising
Different initiations in a relationship Read More »
TheoryAre you in a balanced relationship? Attraction between two people can be seen through the lens of the elements (air, fire, water and earth) although the shadow can emerge following the get together (which emerges around our limitations). For instance, you might be a balanced fire type, in that you are confident and direct but perhaps get attracted to
The alchemy of Relationships Read More »
TheoryJohn Bowlby (26 February 1907 – 2 September 1990) was a notable British psychologist, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. He became a psychoanalyst in 1937 and during the War he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. With his wife (Ursula Longstaff) he had 4 children. Following the War Bowlby became Director of the Tavistock Clinic in
Attachment theory and John Bowlby Read More »
TheoryThis week’s lectures continued with the object relations theories and early child birth developmental issues. Specifically we were hearing about the ideas of Donald Woods Winnicott (7 April 1896–28 January 1971) who was an English paediatrician and psychoanalyst. Winnicott was especially influential in the field of object relations theory. He is best known for his ideas on the
Winnicott, unthinkable anxieties & primary maternal pre-occupation Read More »
Theory