Independent Women in British Psychoanalysis

Elizabeth Wolf is a training and supervising analyst of the British Psychoanalytical Society and works full-time in psychoanalytic private practice. Barbie Antonis is a Fellow of the British Psychoanalytic Society, teaches at the British Society and is co-Chair of the Winnicott Trust.

"This is a deeply inspiring book on the writings of the pioneer women psychoanalysts who were to become part of the Independent Tradition in the British Psychoanalytical Society. While emphasizing the centrality of the interpretation of the transference and countertransference in the analytic encounter, the original work of these women psychoanalysts highlighted the role of emotions, of playfulness and creativity, of receptivity and tolerance, as well as the experience of illusion and disillusionment in the unique encounter between analysts and their patients. The chapters are beautifully written and a joy to read." Rosine Perelberg, British Psychoanalytical Society. "This volume brings together papers that focus on a group of British women analysts who, following the Controversial Discussions, were aligned with the Independent group within the British Psychoanalytical Society. The importance of their clinical and theoretical contributions is widely acknowledged. They insisted on claiming the right to their own voices, and their works often embody a distinctive vocabularies and styles of writing. For many readers they may provide creative openings for further psychoanalytic thought." Nellie L. Thompson, IPA Committee on the History of Psychoanalysis. "The focus of this remarkable book is an extraordinary series of women psychoanalysts whose lives and work span the 20th century. Individually they are fascinating; together, they show historically how women analysts — some still not well known — have been at the heart of Independent psychoanalysis in Britain. Elizabeth Wolf and Barbie Antonis set this story in the context of their own experience, giving the book a personal feel as well. This is a splendid achievement, full of both information and feeling."Michael Parsons, British Psychoanalytical Society.

• Part I Setting the SceneIntroduction: On Becoming 1. The Core Question: ‘What is mind?’ 2. Bloomsbury and the early evolution of British psychoanalysis Part II Independent Women 3. Ella Sharpe: Being Independent, following Freud 4. The Exceptional contributions of Marjory Brierley: affects, mediation and countertransference 5. Paula Heimann: Becoming Independent 6. Marion Milner: The Pliable Self 7. Doing things differently: Pearl King's independent contribution 8. Nina Coltart's Colourful ways of Listening9. Enid Balint’s imaginative perception: the creation of mutuality in the consulting room