Editorial
From the Editor
Having visited Freud’s final resting place at 20 Maresfield Gardens in London this year, I was stirred by his collection of artefacts and how these had impacted the development of important ideas about the human experience.
From the Gravida relief to the Corinthian, black-figured alabaster Greek archaic urn, the phalluses to an Etruscan engraved mirror, one can begin to imagine how these souvenirs or “grubby old gods” provided Freud with inspiration to develop a vocabulary of symbols through which we are able to understand and communicate about human psychic development and existence. What lies hidden in our minds is waiting to be skill-fully and care-fully revealed.
Psychoanalytic writing, case studies, book reviews and conceptual essays hold potency and rich opportunities for the ongoing learning and understanding about the external world of therapeutic technique and application while at the same time offers new ways to understand the endlessly intriguing internal worlds of psychoanalytic patients and analysands.
The papers in this year’s volume 40 of the AJPP offer the reader a way to think and practice as psychoanalytic professionals while concurrently putting new words to the human psychic experience through linking literature and arts with psychoanalytic concepts.
The symbolism in a Leunig cartoon inspires a dive into the experience of modern motherhood as Dr Petra Bueskens unpacks the impacts of influences and distractions upon child raising.
Symbols and synchronicities are explored in the intriguing work of Dr Barry Jones in his paper discussing the concept of quantum in relation to psychoanalysis.
Dr Paul Coombe’s essay shares with the reader the author’s thoughts and exploration around factors which may allow a decision as to whether a patient may benefit from a therapeutic group or individual personal psychotherapy in moving from a position of suffering to one of being able to live a more satisfying life.
A triptych of papers, inspired by their participation in a reading group authored by Dr Sue Oliver, Dr Paul Foulkes and Dr Allan Shafer discusses the efficacy of a given pattern of frequency in psychoanalytic psychotherapy sessions, the tradition of the twice weekly session and impacts of the psychotherapists capacity for dreaming as a transformative influence in therapeutic gains.
Chairing an editorial committee to achieve the publication of Volume 40 has been an incredible learning experience for me. I was able to gain my footing through the supportive mentorship of our previous Chief Editor, Christine Vickers. I wish to express my gratitude to each of the Editorial Committee members; Christine Vickers, Malika Verma, Dr Paul Foulkes, Carol Bolton, Heath Townsend, Dr Thea Van Hees and Dr Penny Jools for sound advice, wisdom, hard work and un-wavering commitment to the ongoing development of the Australasian Journal of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in 2023.
We hope you enjoy receiving and reading this year’s collection of works.
Yvette Willoughby
Chairperson,
Editorial Committee,
AJPP
From the Review Editor
I am delighted that once again the journal presents evocative and engaging book reviews. Each reviewer has chosen a book that has tugged at their heartstrings and challenged their thinking. I should add a caution here. Reviewing books can be addictive! It is a pleasure to have some of our creative reviewers continue to contribute.
We have Bernadette Rosbrook review Sigmund Freud by Matt ffytche from the Critical Lives series of short, critical biographies of leading cultural figures of the modern era. Christine Vickers in reviewing the book The journey home: Emerging from the shadow of the past by David Clark and Teresa von Sommaruga Howard, brings together the stories told in the book with stories from Australia and assures us that ‘Memory has its own guardians. It is waiting to be found.’
Brittain Garrett and Heath Townsend present us with a masterclass in Jungian Psychology. Britt’s review of Les Stein’s, The Self in Jungian Psychology: Theory and Clinical Practice (winner in the International Association for Jungian Studies (IIAJS) Book Awards for 2022 in the Theoretical category.) is a laborious journey through kaleidoscopic ideas and concepts.
Just when you thought you understood something the entire field changes and yet it leaves you with simple truths – there in plain sight. Stein’s interview with Heath provides us with a life line as we delve into the much explored and little understood concept of Self. We are very thankful to Les Stein for this.
In the end we have Maria Kourt’s poetic review of Lorraine Rose’s book From Cradle to Global Citizen; Finding our way in turbulent times. Maria’s review is a tribute to the thinking and contributions of a much loved colleague and member of the NSWIPP, and many other group, child and infant psychoanalytic psychotherapy organisations in Australia. Maria masterfully traces Rose’s movement from the newborn to global group relations.
I am very thankful to all the reviewers for their deeply thoughtful contributions.
Malika Verma
Book Review Editor, AJPP