Power,Institution and Group-Analytic Training

Abstract

This article is concerned with the origins, conscious and unconscious, of the distribution of power on the Zurich training course in Foulkesian group analysis. It considers critically the historic origins of the institutionalization of psychoanalysis, its resulting present power structure and the consequence for the psychoanalytic training institutes. Turning to its offspring - group-analytic training institutes - their conscious `ideology' and unconscious foundation myths are evaluated for their effects on the training programmes. Ultimately, transparency in the distribution of power and democratic self-determination must prevail if scientific scrutiny and renewal of theoretical and clinical doctrine are to be maintained and advanced.

Keywords

foundation myth group-analytic training origins of psychoanalytic training power distribution role identification self-determination

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