Morris Nitsun – författare

"Beyond the Anti-group: survival and transformation" builds on the success of Morris Nitsun's influential concept of the Anti-group, taking it into new domains of thought and practice in the current century. The concept focuses on anxiety and hostility within, towards and between groups, as well as the destructive potential of groups. In Beyond the Anti-group". Morris Nitsun continues his inquiry into the clinical implications of the anti-group but also explores the concept beyond the consulting room, in settings as wide-ranging as cultural and environmental stress in the 21st century, the fate of public health services and the themes of contemporary art.Groups are potentially destructive but also have the capacity for survival, creativity and transformation. Focusing on the interplay between the two, Morris Nitsun explores the struggle to overcome group impasse and dysfunction and to emerge stronger. By tracking this process in a range of cultural settings, the author weaves a rich tapestry in which group psychotherapy, organizational process and the arts come together in unexpected and novel ways. The author draws on group analysis and the Foulkesian tradition as his overall discipline but within a critical frame that questions the relevance of the approach in a changing world, highlighting new directions and opportunities.Readers of Beyond the Anti-group: Survival and Transformation will be stimulated by the depth, breadth and creativity of the author’s analysis and by the excursion into new fields of inquiry. The book offers new impetus for psychotherapists, group analysts and group practitioners in general, students of group and organizational processes, and those working on the boundary between psychotherapy and the arts.

"Beyond the Anti-group: survival and transformation" builds on the success of Morris Nitsun's influential concept of the Anti-group, taking it into new domains of thought and practice in the current century. The concept focuses on anxiety and hostility within, towards and between groups, as well as the destructive potential of groups. In Beyond the Anti-group". Morris Nitsun continues his inquiry into the clinical implications of the anti-group but also explores the concept beyond the consulting room, in settings as wide-ranging as cultural and environmental stress in the 21st century, the fate of public health services and the themes of contemporary art.Groups are potentially destructive but also have the capacity for survival, creativity and transformation. Focusing on the interplay between the two, Morris Nitsun explores the struggle to overcome group impasse and dysfunction and to emerge stronger. By tracking this process in a range of cultural settings, the author weaves a rich tapestry in which group psychotherapy, organizational process and the arts come together in unexpected and novel ways. The author draws on group analysis and the Foulkesian tradition as his overall discipline but within a critical frame that questions the relevance of the approach in a changing world, highlighting new directions and opportunities.Readers of Beyond the Anti-group: Survival and Transformation will be stimulated by the depth, breadth and creativity of the author’s analysis and by the excursion into new fields of inquiry. The book offers new impetus for psychotherapists, group analysts and group practitioners in general, students of group and organizational processes, and those working on the boundary between psychotherapy and the arts.

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.

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.

A Psychotherapist Paints is a unique account of an internationally known psychotherapist and group analyst’s struggle to bring together his psychological experience and his interests and talent as an artist. This book describes a body of painting that was responsive to a major existential challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic, but which also comes from deeply personal experience; the paintings are a mirror of life through the decades. These paintings, fifty of which are included here in full colour, were mainly presented online to groups both small and large, who were invited to participate in a dialogue that became a vital part of the developing project. The value of this dialogue is reflected in the author’s concept of the "artist's matrix", describing the social context in which an artist produces and presents their work. The paintings, together with the autobiographical narrative and the groups’ generativity, combine to produce a moving testament to our times. Intrinsic to A Psychotherapist Paints is a question about what makes us creative and how creativity transforms our lives. The result is a work of both artistic and psychological power that will inspire psychotherapists, art psychotherapists and artists themselves, and will point to exciting new possibilities in all these fields.

A Psychotherapist Paints is a unique account of an internationally known psychotherapist and group analyst’s struggle to bring together his psychological experience and his interests and talent as an artist. This book describes a body of painting that was responsive to a major existential challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic, but which also comes from deeply personal experience; the paintings are a mirror of life through the decades. These paintings, fifty of which are included here in full colour, were mainly presented online to groups both small and large, who were invited to participate in a dialogue that became a vital part of the developing project. The value of this dialogue is reflected in the author’s concept of the "artist's matrix", describing the social context in which an artist produces and presents their work. The paintings, together with the autobiographical narrative and the groups’ generativity, combine to produce a moving testament to our times. Intrinsic to A Psychotherapist Paints is a question about what makes us creative and how creativity transforms our lives. The result is a work of both artistic and psychological power that will inspire psychotherapists, art psychotherapists and artists themselves, and will point to exciting new possibilities in all these fields.

Why do people find it so difficult to talk openly about sex?In this original and ground-breaking book, Morris Nitsun argues that desire and sexuality are key components of human experience that have been marginalized in the group psychotherapy literature. Drawing on theory from psychoanalysis, developmental psychology and sociology, while keeping the group firmly in focus, he creates a picture of the potential in group therapy for the most intimate narrative. Highlighting current concerns about sexual identity, boundary transgression and what constitutes effective psychotherapy, detailed clinical illustrations cover areas such as:The erotic connectionThe dissociation of desireThe group as witnessErotic transference and counter-transferencePsychotherapists and all those interested in sexual development and diversity will value the challenging approach to sexuality this book offers.