Consultations in Dynamic Psychotherapy

Peter Hobson is Tavistock Professor of Developmental Psychopathology in the University of London, with a clinical position at the Tavistock Clinic, London. He is a psychiatrist trained at the Maudsley Hospital, London, a psychoanalyst trained at the Institute of Psycho-Analysis, London, and academic developmental psychologist with a PhD from the University of Cambridge. His research interests converge upon the significance of interpersonal relations for understanding the course of human development, both typical and atypical. He has long been intrigued by how consultations in psychoanalytic psychotherapy afford profound insights into human mental life and the potential for development.

'This book is a privilege to read: practical and accessible, and so intriguing, moving and vivid that it will be a page-turner for both experienced professionals and those considering starting any career relating to mental health. The writing is very clear, and shines with an approach to the suffering patient from which any of us could benefit, combining humanity and respect with a subtle awareness of the underlying meanings, purposes and true costs of distress.' - Professor Mary Target PhD, UCL and the Anna Freud Centre'Hobson and colleagues bring a novel approach to a familiar conundrum: how to identify those who can benefit from psychoanalytic psychotherapy, while remaining true to the idiographic nature of our discipline. Combining vivid and moving clinical examples with the wisdom of a world-class researcher, Hobson leads us through the 'minute particulars' of the initial therapeutic encounter, the eliciting and interpretation of transference, to 'the crunch' - the exhilarating and painful moment of choice at which a psychoanalytic journey begins. This remarkable volume is a must for all psychoanalytically minded clinicians, student or experienced, in public or private settings.'- Professor Jeremy Holmes MD FRCPsych University of Exeter UK'A valuable and impressive study of the role of psychoanalytically informed consultations within the National Health Service. The authors offer vivid illustrations of the value of psychoanalytical thinking and understanding in their encounters with patients at the Tavistock Clinic. They also demonstrate the importance of working within a group of colleagues who share certain basic theoretical assumptions, and who, at the same time respect each others' differences. This framework facilitates thinking and working on the fascinating, and challenging task of engaging in a meaningful, truthful and constructive way with patients.'- Michael Feldman - Psychoanalyst, previously Consultant Psychotherapist, Maudsley HospitalContributors:David Bell, Ruth Berkowitz, Antony Garelick, R. Peter Hobson, Raman Kapur, Birgit Kleeberg, Karlen Lyons-Ruth, Jane Milton, Matthew Patrick, Joanne Stubley.

• Series Editor’s Preface -- Introduction -- Overview -- Frameworks for Practice -- Assessing for psychoanalytic psychotherapy: a historical perspective -- Why assess? Psychoanalytic assessment in the National Health Service -- The Consultation Process -- How to begin? -- Working over -- The close -- The minute particulars -- Special Domains -- Trauma -- Very troubled patients -- Views from Elsewhere -- Research reflections -- Afterthoughts