Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in South Africa : Contexts, Theories and Applications

An accessible text for practitioners, students, and non-specialists about the practice of psychotherapy in South Africa. Psychoanalysis as a long term modality is inaccessible to the average South African. In this book the authors describe how psychoanalytically orientated or psychodynamic psychotherapy can be practiced as a short-term endeavour and applied to contemporary issues facing the country. Psychodynamic work is currently undertaken by clinical psychologists, therapists, clinicians, trainers, teachers, clinical supervisors, consultants and researchers working in university settings, state hospitals, community projects, private practice and research. The debates, clinical issues, therapeutic practice and nature of research covered in the book are widely representative of the work being done in the country. The need for shorter term therapy models and evidence-based interventions is as acute in global practice as it is locally. The lessons learned in South Africa have broader implications for international practitioners, and the authors stress the potential inherent in psychoanalytic theory and technique to tackle the complex problems faced in all places and settings characterised by increasing globalisation and dislocation. The book is structured in three main sections. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in South Africa is aimed at local and international practitioners and students, while non-specialist readers will find the text informative and accessible. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Contents Editors Contributors Acknowledgements Acronyms and Abbreviations Introduction Future considerations for psychodynamic practice A note on confidentiality Note References Section I: Subjectivity and Identity Chapter 1: Naming and otherness: South African intersubjective psychoanalytic psychotherapy and the negotiation of racialised histories Thirdness in the third world ‘Irreducible subjectivity’ Representing subjectivity and the power of naming Bringing it all back home Interpellation and collapse of the third: Two case examples Rebuilding the analytic third Revisiting memory and desire Note References Chapter 2: Raising the colour bar: Exploring issues of race, racism and racialised identities in the South African therapeutic context Introduction There is no such thing as a patient Prejudiced am I Race in the ‘rainbow nation’ consulting room Concluding thoughts Notes References Chapter 3: Subjectivity and identity in South Africa today The work of Bromberg and Mama on subjectivity ‘Whiteness’ Resignification On being colour-blind Conclusions Note References Section II: Traumatic Stress Chapter 4: Psychotherapy and disrupted attachment in the aftermath of apartheid South Africa Introduction Background The ‘rainbow nation’: After 1994 Theoretical considerations Theoretical limitations and contradictions The healing powers of mutilation The death of Father Christmas The joys of revenge Tainted by an internal brothel Concluding remarks References Chapter 5: Traumatic stress, internal and external: What do psychodynamic perspectives have to contribute? Contextualising traumatic stress conditions in South Africa Psychodynamic contributions to understanding historical, collective and pervasive traumatisation Clinical and individually oriented considerations in trauma work in South Africa Psychodynamic contributions to formulating the psychological impact of traumatic stressors Traumatic stress intervention and psychodynamic contributions Notes References Section III: Social Issues Chapter 6: Unconscious meaning and magic: Comparing psychoanalysis and African indigenous healing A brief overview of African indigenous healing Comparing psychoanalysis and indigenous healing Boiling blood: A comparative case study A comparative formulation of the case Therapeutic implications of divergent case formulations Problems posed by reifying cultures and therapeutic modalities The psychoanalytic challenge of engaging with indigenous African beliefs and healing practices Conclusion References Chapter 7: Intimate partner violence in post-apartheid South Africa: Psychoanalytic insights and dilemmas Introduction Background What is at stake in the ‘private domain’? Breakdown and repair of recognition in social context Social change: Psychoanalytic insights and dilemmas Conclusion Notes References Chapter 8: Serial murder and psychoanalysis in South Africa: Teasing out contextual issues amid intrapsychic phenomena in two case studies Crime and South Africa Serial murder as a specific crime of interest Serial murder in South Africa Conclusion Notes References Chapter 9: Some psychoanalytic reflections on a project working with HIV orphans and their caregivers The context and setting The project Exploring the broader dynamics of the project and the bereavement groups Understanding difficulties in processing over-whelming feelings Cultural influences on psychological processes Conclusion Note References Chapter 10: Reclaiming genealogy, memory and history: The psychodynamic potential for reparative therapy in contemporary South Africa Reflection on origins The ruins of memory and the intractability of silence Grappling with memory and history The consequences of being born outside of genealogy Telling ghost stories: Inscribing and re-inscribing memory Addressing genealogical ruptures and severed social links: The possibility of reparation Engaging in a dialogue around reparation in South Africa Notes References Afterword References Index BackCover This Book Takes The Reader On A Journey Through The Sensitive And Often Painful Realities Of Contemporary South African Life. Offering A Fresh And Innovative Perspective On Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, It Captures The Possibilities Of Using Psychodynamic Theory In Service Of Progressive And Socially Relevant Application. Psychoanalysis As A Long Term Modality Is Inaccessible To The Average South African. In This Book The Authors Describe How Psychoanalytically Orientated Or Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Can Be Practiced As A Short-term Endeavour And Applied To Contemporary Issues Facing The Country. Psychodynamic Work Is Currently Undertaken By Clinical Psychologists, Therapists, Clinicians, Trainers, Teachers, Clinical Supervisors, Consultants And Researchers Working In University Settings, State Hospitals, Community Projects, Private Practice And Research. The Debates, Clinical Issues, Therapeutic Practice And Nature Of Research Covered In The Book Are Widely Representative Of The Work Being Done In The Country. The Need For Shorter Term Therapy Models And Evidence-based Interventions Is As Acute In Global Practice As It Is Locally. The Lessons Learned In South Africa Have Broader Implications For International Practitioners, And The Authors Stress The Potential Inherent In Psychoanalytic Theory And Technique To Tackle The Complex Problems Faced In All Places And Settings Characterised By Increasing Globalisation And Dislocation. The Book Is Structured In Three Main Sections. The First Introduces Contemporary Issues About Race, Identity, Disavowal And Otherness Viewed Within An Intersubejctive Theoretical Frame. The Second Section Deals Broadly With Psychodynamic Perspectives In Trauma, The Impact Of Violence On Attachment, Family Function And Individual Survival, And The Psychotherapeutic Dilemmas These Conditions Raise For Psychodynamically Orientated Therapists. The Third Section Deals With A Range Of Highly Relevant Social Issues, Including The Complex Relationship Between Psychoanalysis And Traditional Healing, The Politics And Psychodynamics Of Gendered Violence, The Challenge Of Running Psychodynamic Group Therapy Community Projects With South African Aids Orphans, The Intergenerational And Psychodynamic Processes In The Proliferation Of Serial Murder In Post-apartheid South Africa And The Psychodynamic Potential For Reparative Therapy In Contemporary South Africa. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy In South Africa Is Aimed At Local And International Practitioners And Students, While Non-specialist Readers Will Find The Text Informative And Accessible.