Editorial
From the Editor
As I anticipate over the next couple of weeks of sending our final manuscripts for Volume 41 to our publisher, in the context of ongoing climate related events, perpetual global conflicts, shock inducing voting results, chat GPT, UFO and robot encounters, I find myself reflecting on the year that was 2024 with a little sentimentality and a larger recognition of remarkable human survival.
The Australasian Journal of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (AJPP) is a journal with expectations of itself, tested by its own share of obstacles. Producing Volume 41 has eventuated despite the kinds of challenges that all psychoanalytic journals seem to be facing – sufficiency of ethically appropriate case related papers, the consistent and careful adherence to standards set out by the Council of Publication Ethics (COPE), navigating the complex world of online publication, addressing the requests and recommendations of our readership, meeting the requirements of our auspice and broadening the authorship and readership out to members of other associations. This year we have invited all members of the Australasian Confederation of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists (ACPP) to become stakeholders and have provided a paywall on the website for new subscribers. Ongoing survival of the AJPP has meant a commitment to constant and consistent growth. Nevertheless, for now, the art of psychoanalytic writing endures, perhaps as Alstein says, to “approach trauma in unexpectedly generative ways” (Alstein, 2017, 2020).
Acknowledging the slow and steady steps towards achieving our operational goals of broadened accessibility, developing clearer policies and procedures, expanding and uplifting our profile and quality improvement, I want to take this moment to thank those who have provided critical reflection, outlook, shepherding, steering and guidance: the AJPP editorial committee, consisting of Christine Vickers (Past Editor in Chief), Malika Verma (Book Review Editor), Paul Foulkes, Penny Jools (now retired), Thea Van Hees, Heath Townsend, Jennifer Jackson and Kate Stewart. I must also thank our Editorial Assistant Suzanne Crouchley for her conscientiousness and efficiency and Copyeditor Hannah Lane for meticulous proof editing, along with our team of peer reviewers for their sensitive and careful counsel and kindling of author’s submissions. Of course, I also need to express immense gratitude to our writers for interesting and thought inducing essays and reviews. These contributions have collectively resulted in presenting Volume 41 to you with pride and privilege. AJPP extends much gratitude to the executive of the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Association of Australasia (PPAA) for continued support and guidance.
Three essays in Volume 41 vary in content yet represent the wide scope of applicability of psychoanalytic psychotherapy thinking and practice in the current global context with new elements of discovery.
Our first essay from Child Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy candidate, Orla Gilheany, derives from her qualitative study of the experiences and memorable moments of Australian child psychoanalytic psychotherapists with children. Orla explores the recollections of child psychoanalytic psychotherapists of the transformative moments in providing therapy to unveil what is common in these findings. This is pertinent in this post pandemic environment where child mental health is a visible concern.
Our second essay from advanced trainee psychiatrist Dr Edward Miller and senior lecturer Dr Andrew Amos explores the use of the protagonist Arthur Fleck from the 2019 film, Joker (Tod Phillips) in the teaching/training of psychiatric registrars and medical students about psychoanalytic concepts and theories. The use of film analysis might be considered a helpful device in preparing trainees from a medical background towards venturing into psychoanalytic psychotherapy practice while applying concepts like transference/countertransference to the character Arthur Fleck and reflecting on the character’s treatment and formulation might offer a way to further understand the psychoanalytic lens.
Our third essay by psychoanalyst Gunjan Chandak Khemka, draws from both personal anecdotes and case vignettes in presenting an argument for the contextualising of the developing individual human psyche within the external Geo sociopolitical landscape in Psychosocial analysis. Can we discuss psychoanalysis away from the ever-imposing collection of challenging ‘isms’ present in our changing world, particularly when they so vividly mirror our most primitive anxieties?
In addition to these essays, we present an interview generously given by Italian Psychoanalyst, Dr Elena Molinari discussing with me her latest book Binocular Vision: An Inquiry into Psychoanalytic Techniques and Field Theory (2024). While the interview in video format is posted on our webpage, the transcript is included in our book review section. Our Book Review editor, Malika Verma will introduce the other book reviews. We hope you enjoy receiving and reading this year’s collection of works.
Yvette Willoughby
Editorial Chairperson, AJPP
From the Review Editor
The Book Review essays in the 41st edition of the AJPP introduce us to the pioneering women who brought exceptional passion to their interest in psychoanalysis.
Christine Vickers, Bernadette Rosbrook and Anne Shepherd all herald and conjoin their voices with some of the pioneering women in psychoanalysis. Paul Schimmel presents a cogent review of a complex but topical book. Christine Vickers’ review of the Women of the Budapest School: Girls of Tomorrow by Anna Borgos provides an eloquent historical account, highlighting the significance of the book for psychoanalysis in Australia. Bernadette Rosbrook’s review of Independent Women in British Psychoanalysis: Creativity and Authenticity at Work edited by Elizabeth Wolf and Barbie Antonis, evocatively discusses how women creatively address and transform their losses and trauma. Anne Shepherd in her review of a chapter from The Cost of Living by Deborah Levy discusses and connects the experience of pondering over the experience of mothers.
Here are women; daughters and mothers who lose and find themselves, being remembered for their varied contributions through reminiscences and reconnections.
Eventually we have Paul Schimmel’s review of Religion, Narcissism and Fanaticism – The Arrogance of Gods by Tamas Pataki. Schimmel presents a lucid account of how the book deals with complex ideas through an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together anthropology, religion, psychoanalysis, history and philosophy.
As always, the reviews include a wide range of ideas and provide insightful and sensitive understanding of complex issues.
Malika Verma
Book Review Editor, AJPP