This is the secound in a series of in person sessions on Race and Culture in the Clinic, organised by the Race and Culture Committee of the Guild of Psychotherapists. The series is intended to bridge the gap between the academic discussions on race and culture in psychotherapy and the practical application in clinical practice. Our speakers will present case material from their consulting rooms and there will be plenty of time for discussion.
In this seminar, Dr. Stuart Stevenson will be bringing his experience as a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and Group Analysis to help us think about the dynamic clinical significance of paying attention to race and culture in the consulting room. We hope to create an explorative space where we can freely discuss this and think together about why should we, as clinicians and clinicians-to-be, care? How would this “caring” actually look like in the clinical encounter? In addition to any other questions that may arise from Stuart's presentation.
Stuart will be presenting a twice-per-week psychoanalytic psychotherapy with a black male adolescent by a black male analyst and how a racialised paternal function was established, enabling the binding of a metaphorical melanised psychic skin. This led to an increased ability for the patient to think about racial trauma and not enact it violently against himself and others. He considers the complex issue of racial trauma and its impact on the psychic formation of black boys and young men.
Speakers’ Biography
Dr. Stuart Stevenson, PFHEA, is a group analyst, forensic and psychoanalytic psychotherapist and an organizational consultant in private practice. He consults on strategic and service development, conflict resolution, team processes and the impact of trauma and risk on team dynamics.
This event will not be recorded.
The Race and Culture Committee (RCC) was set up initially to question the lack of diversity in the organisation, and secondly to provide a forum for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members of the Guild to discuss issues of common concern, address ‘racial’ and cultural questions from a psychoanalytic and analytical psychology perspective, and promote anti-racist practice and racial equity within psychotherapy and the wider community.
Image credit: FÍA YANG @fiayangart.