Process Facilitation in Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy and Social Work

Process Facilitation in Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy and Social Work elaborates a differential theory of therapeutic engagement with full reference not only to psychoanalysis and to psychotherapy but also – surprisingly – to social work. When contemporary social work with the marginalised achieves mutual constructive collaboration, social workers characteristically notice an unfolding process. Could this correspond to the ‘analytic process’ of psychoanalysis?

Sylvia O’Neill seeks to explain theoretically, and to illustrate clearly in practice, just how a quasi-autonomous therapeutic process becomes established. The theory underpinning the book is Jean-Luc Donnet’s conceptualisation of the establishment of the analytic process in psychoanalysis through introjection of the analytic setting. Donnet designates the psychoanalytic setting as the analytic ‘site’. O’Neill proceeds to trace, by means of detailed clinical discussion, the analogous process by which a viable therapeutic process can become established through created/found discovery and introjection of the relevant ‘site’ or setting in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and in social work. Amongst the most important elements are the practitioner’s internalised theoretical principles.

The book demonstrates that unconscious introjection figures more importantly in effective therapeutic engagement than a conscious therapeutic alliance. An important corollary for social work is that, contrary to popular myth, no prior psychological-mindedness is required. The differential theory of Process Facilitation in Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy and Social Work is equally relevant to psychodynamic counselling.

“'This strikingly ambitious book offers a theoretical model of how practitioners of psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and social work seek to offer transformative help. It is a psychoanalytical theoretical model but its explanatory scope reaches far beyond traditional psychoanalytic work, and this makes it essential reading for the wide range of professionals who work with the disadvantaged. O'Neill writes clearly, explains complex ideas with clarity, gives the reader excellent summaries of what she's covered and signposts to where she's going next. The book fulfils its ambitious aims. O'Neill's thesis is both a new conceptualisation of what might be called social intervention, and a theory of therapeutic change.'-Vic Sedlak, Training Analyst, The British Psychoanalytical Society”

'This strikingly ambitious book offers a theoretical model of how practitioners of psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic psychotherapy and social work seek to offer transformative help. It is a psychoanalytical theoretical model but its explanatory scope reaches far beyond traditional psychoanalytic work, and this makes it essential reading for the wide range of professionals who work with the disadvantaged. O’Neill writes clearly, explains complex ideas with clarity, gives the reader excellent summaries of what she’s covered and signposts to where she’s going next. The book fulfils its ambitious aims. O’Neill’s thesis is both a new conceptualisation of what might be called social intervention, and a theory of therapeutic change.'-Vic Sedlak, Training Analyst, The British Psychoanalytical Society

'Social work has sometimes valued psychoanalysis for thinking about the relational aspects of its work, but sometimes sees concentration on the inner workings of the mind as neglectful of the reality faced by clients. Sylvia ONeills timely book addresses this conflict and expands, through detailed conceptual writing and fully explored case examples, the richness a sustained effort to realign the two worlds contains. Building on the work of Jean-Luc Donnet she develops his concept of the setting and those discoverable "site" elements fundamental to the establishment of a psycho-analytic and a social work process. This finely written and thoroughly researched work reinvigorates both worlds and will enhance the understanding of members of both professions.'-Mary Twyman, Member British Psycho-analytic Society; formerly Principal Social Worker, Tavistock Clinic Adult Department

Sylvia O’Neill is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist practising privately in Edinburgh and in the NHS in Glasgow. She trained in psychotherapy at the Tavistock Clinic after practising social work in Melbourne and London. Her published research interests include therapeutic engagement, autistic pathology, male anorexia and professional cultures.

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