Psychoanalysis has been applied to the understanding of social groups, organizations and cultures for a very long time, and there have been many different approaches. This volume brings together the contributions to a field which could be called psychoanalytic social psychology, from a very wide-ranging group of contributors. The substantial introductory chapters by the editors describe a conceptual map of psychoanalytic ideas on social groups that have been formed around the world. These introduce eight chapters from eminent authors on the topic, writing in Europe, the Americas and Britain.

Observing Organisations presents a unique approach derived from direct participant observation of small units within institutions, all in the health and social services sector. A range of contributors bring together the results of their own observational projects to show how they were able to come to a psychoanalytically informed understanding of the cultures that arise within healthcare organisations, and how this understanding can be used to overcome difficulties that arise.

This book revisits the theory of social systems as a defence against anxiety. It explores this theory as a generative paradigm, capable both of theoretical extension and of empirical application to different institutional settings.

The 'anti-group' is a major conceptual addition to the theory and practice of group psychotherapy. It comprises the negative, disruptive elements, which threaten to undermine and even destroy the group, but when contained, have the potential to mobilise the group's creative processes. Understanding the 'anti-group' gives therapists new perspectives on the nature of relationships and alternative strategies for managing destructive behaviour.

Essentially clinical in its approach, Psychic Retreats discusses the problem of patients who are 'stuck' and with whom it is difficult to make meaningful contact. John Steiner, an experienced psychoanalyst, uses new developments in Kleinian theory to explain how this happens. He examines the way object relationships and defences can be organized into complex structures which lead to a personality and an analysis becoming rigid and stuck, with little opportunity for development or change. These systems of defences are pathological organisations of the personality: John Steiner describes them as 'psychic retreats', into which the patient can withdraw to avoid contact both with the analyst and with reality. To provide a background to these original and controversial concepts, the author builds on more established ideas such as Klein's distinction between the paranoid-schizoid and depressive positions, and briefly reviews previous work on pathological organizations of the personality. He illustrates his discussion with detailed clinical material, with examples of the way psychic retreats operate to provide a respite from both paranoid-schizoid and depressive anxieties. He looks at the way such organizations function as a defence against unbearable guilt and describes the mechanism by which fragmentation of the personality can be reversed so the lost parts of the self can be regained and reintegrated in to the personality. Psychic Retreats is written with the practising psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists in mind. The emphasis is therefore clinical throughout the book, which concludes with a chapter on the technical problems which arise in the treatment of such severely ill patients.

This book provides a comprehensive exposition of Kleinian ideas. Offering a thorough update of R.D. Hinshelwood’s acclaimed original, this book draws on the twenty years of Kleinian theory and practice which have passed since its publication.

`The book is a good read. Gabriel has an engaging writing style, liberally interspersed with vignettes, cases, and quotes.... While the reader may not agree with some of what Gabriel is espousing, the author presents his material in a non-judgemental manner.... And who knows ? Maybe Gabriel is foreshadowing some new directions in organizational theory and even new research methodology′ - Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology This book is a comprehensive and systematic examination of the insights psychoanalysis can offer to the study of organizations and organizational behaviour. Richly illustrated with examples, Yiannis Gabriel′s exhaustive study provides fresh understandings of the role of creativity, control mechanisms, leadership, culture, and emotions in organizations. Core theories are explained at length and there is a chapter on research strategies. Extensive reference is made to practical cases, and there is a review of the key debates.

This book explores the ways in which diversity and experiences of marginalisation are present in forensic mental health care settings around the globe and suggests ways of moving forward. Forensic mental health services provide care for a group of patients who are marginalised in several respects. Many have experienced childhood adversity and abuse, substance use, serious and chronic mental disorders, poor healthcare education or treatment, inadequate educational opportunities, social isolation, and pervasive forms of stigmatization. On top of these individual experiences of marginalisation, wide diversity exists across patients’ socio-demographic, cultural, and clinical characteristics. Chapters in this book discuss these crucial and often sensitive problems, such as working with transgender prisoners, the impact of incarceration for children from non-white backgrounds, cultural and linguistic diversity in forensic settings, and more. Combining global perspectives, current evidence and case studies, this book will be of interest to patients, carers, practitioners, researchers, and students of forensic mental health.