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Constructions and enactments of whiteness: A discursive analysis.
No full textSystemic therapists have argued that it is important to re‐examine issues about white identities if they are to develop cultural competence and cultural sensitivity. Despite this, few studies have explored whiteness in systemic psychotherapy. This small‐scale qualitative study therefore explores how a group of white systemic psychotherapists (trainers and trainees) construct whiteness, how these constructions or discourses facilitate or constrain talk about whiteness and how this influences what therapists do in therapy. The research method used was focus group discussions and an action research approach. The data were analysed using Foucauldian discourse analysis and three main discourses were made apparent: ‘whiteness as an invisible norm’, ‘political correctness’ and ‘systemic therapy discourses’
The relevance of infant observation for early intervention: Containment in theory and practice
No full textThis paper explores the links between the practice of Infant Observation as a mode of study of early development, and a means of training future clinicians and others, and its potential use in research and early intervention, particularly in respect of risk. Material from an infant observation undertaken as part of a clinical training is quoted before moving on to two illustrations of babies at risk – one of developing autism, and the other, a baby in foster care, observed as part of a research project into what happens to babies taken into care. Both illustrations are observation-based interventions, rather than pure observations, and are seen as providing good evidence for development of the practice to support healthier development in vulnerable infants and to enrich the understanding of social workers and others who take significant decisions about the lives of young children
Sex and sexuality: An evolutionary view
No full textIn this article, I first offer a summary of Darwin’s main ideas, especially relating to sex, and explain how these have been elaborated by more recent evolutionary scholars. I then give an account of the historical divergence between psychoanalysis and classical Darwinian thought, and describe how the early psychoanalyst Sabina Spielrein tried to counter this by addressing some biological themes in her work. Following a review of some contemporary attempts to bring psychoanalysis and evolutionary thought into alignment with each other, I make some suggestions regarding a view of sex and sexuality that would be sound in evolutionary terms while also being helpful in psychoanalytic ones
The wider family context of kinship care
No full textThis book takes an in-depth look at what goes on 'inside' kinship care. It explores the dynamics and relationships between family members that are involved in kinship care, including mothers, grandparents, siblings and the wider family. Chapters also discuss issues such as safeguarding, assessment, therapy, encouraging permanence, placement breakdown, support groups, and cultural issues
An action research project to explore and develop family therapists’ experiences of using systemic art and music techniques in a CAMHS setting
No full textThis study explores family therapists’ experiences of using systemic art and music techniques in a CAMHS setting and charts how these techniques were developed through an action research process. As a music therapist and family and systemic psychotherapist, I have used techniques in my practice that combine ideas from the Arts therapies with systemic therapy. This study was born from my curiosity to explore if these ideas and techniques could be expanded into the field of family therapy as a useful adjunct to our work with words. The study involved recruiting participants from three NHS family therapy teams, with each team becoming a participant set. Through an action learning process, in which each set was convened consecutively, given opportunities to learn music and art techniques, try them out in their practice and report back via focus groups and consultation, feedback was gained which influenced the input for the next set. Through this process techniques were explored in depth, ideas were developed and new insights gained which not only highlighted the difference music and art can bring, but also bought attention to family therapy creativity and identity, and how change is realised and embedded within teams. The research was analysed using thematic analysis, paying particular attention to Braun and Clark’s (2006) phases of thematic analysis. I also used Massey’s (2011) model of clarifying the kinds of data that emerge in focus group research to help the initial analysis, and paid attention to context and process throughout the analysis, as outlined by Vicesk (2010)
