The Art of the Subject: Between Necessary Illusion and Speakable Desire in the Analytic Encounter

Rating:
Summary: Review from an Object Relations practitioner
Review: What an engaging and eloquently written work! A must read for anyone interested in Winnicott or for one who has the desire to take on Lacan. The author manages an awesome task of deciphering Lacanian constructs and weaving these in with Winnicottian ideas. While language signifies loss, I found the author's clear and interesting use of language allow her ideas to land in my (the reader's) space. As it is common to find Lacan and Winnicott polarized, Ireland brings the two into an oddly fitting spatial "dance". How I wish I had this "map" when I first encountered Lacan's seminars over 10 years ago.
As a beginning psychotherapy practitioner, I also found meaning in the case descriptions and "art" creations. Ireland's supervisory role with the therapist who draws briefly about his case sessions illuminates aspects of the psychotherapy that would remain unexpressed otherwise.

Rating:
Summary: Review from an Object Relations practitioner
Review: What an engaging and eloquently written work! A must read for anyone interested in Winnicott or for one who has the desire to take on Lacan. The author manages an awesome task of deciphering Lacanian constructs and weaving these in with Winnicottian ideas. While language signifies loss, I found the author's clear and interesting use of language allow her ideas to land in my (the reader's) space. As it is common to find Lacan and Winnicott polarized, Ireland brings the two into an oddly fitting spatial "dance". How I wish I had this "map" when I first encountered Lacan's seminars over 10 years ago.
As a beginning psychotherapy practitioner, I also found meaning in the case descriptions and "art" creations. Ireland's supervisory role with the therapist who draws briefly about his case sessions illuminates aspects of the psychotherapy that would remain unexpressed otherwise.