From sadomasochism to BDSM : rethinking object relations theorizing through queer theory and sex-positive feminism

This theoretical thesis explores the phenomenon of BDSM. BDSM is a type of consensual erotic experience that covers a wide range of interactions between or among people. Referencing the compound acronym BDSM, these interactions encompass: bondage and discipline; dominance and submission; and sadism and masochism. This project investigates psychoanalytic conceptualizations of BDSM, often called sadomasochism in analytic literature. In particular, object relations theory conceptualizations of BDSM are explored. Object relations theorists have tended to identify sadomasochism as pathology. This thesis explores and uses queer theory and sex-positive feminism to analyze two important object relations authors\u27 writings on sadomasochism (i.e., Otto Kernberg and Jessica Benjamin). Additionally, a history of sadomasochism\u27s entry into the psychological lexicon is given; its inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is discussed; the findings of empirical research on BDSM are reviewed; and discrimination against BDSM practitioners—including adverse experiences in psychotherapy—is described. Through this analysis, problems with object relations pathological framework regarding sadomasochism are discussed, and new adaptive object relations conceptualizations of BDSM are offered. Implications for clinical social work theory, research, and practice concerning BDSM and its practitioners are presented

Dissociation and interpersonal autonomic physiology in psychotherapy research: an integrative view encompassing psychodynamic and neuroscience theoretical frameworks

Interpersonal autonomic physiology is an interdisciplinary research field, assessing the relational interdependence of two (or more) interacting individual both at the behavioral and psychophysiological levels. Despite its quite long tradition, only eight studies since 1955 have focused on the interaction of psychotherapy dyads, and none of them have focused on the shared processual level, assessing dynamic phenomena such as dissociation. We longitudinally observed two brief psychodynamic psychotherapies, entirely audio and video-recorded (16 sessions, weekly frequency, 45 min.). Autonomic nervous system measures were continuously collected during each session. Personality, empathy, dissociative features and clinical progress measures were collected prior and post therapy, and after each clinical session. Two-independent judges, trained psychotherapist, codified the interactions\u2019 micro-processes. Time-series based analyses were performed to assess interpersonal synchronization and de-synchronization in patient\u2019s and therapist\u2019s physiological activity. Psychophysiological synchrony revealed a clear association with empathic attunement, while desynchronization phases (range of length 30-150 sec.) showed a linkage with dissociative processes, usually associated to the patient\u2019s narrative core relational trauma. Our findings are discussed under the perspective of psychodynamic models of Stern (\u201cpresent moment\u201d), Sander, Beebe and Lachmann (dyad system model of interaction), Lanius (Trauma model), and the neuroscientific frameworks proposed by Thayer (neurovisceral integration model), and Porges (polyvagal theory). The collected data allows to attempt an integration of these theoretical approaches under the light of Complex Dynamic Systems. The rich theoretical work and the encouraging clinical results might represents a new fascinating frontier of research in psychotherapy

South African Student Leadership Unrest and Unsettled Constructions: A CIBART Analysis

Student leadership in South Africa is unsettled and characterised by unrest. The perturbing changes in the higher education system, including global shifts and crises, impact South African student leadership psychologically. Consequently, this article seeks to understand the system psychodynamics of South African student leadership. Data was collected during a social dream drawing (SDD) session with student leaders at a South African university before the onset of the Fees Must Fall movement. The SDD session aimed to understand the social construction of student leadership at a South African university and data was analysed through discourse analysis with a psychodynamic interpretation. For this article, a co-reflector was incorporated for secondary analysis after Fees Must Fall to reorganise, reinterpret the data and enhance the initial findings using a conflict, identity, boundaries, authority, role, task (CIBART) model. CIBART findings show that students have a need for a collective and shared vision, and find it unsettling when this need is not satisfied due to the complex environment. Thereby, their psychological safety is threatened, while anxiety is heightened in an environment characterised by transformation and decolonisation agendas. Substantial conflicts impact authority dynamics while, simultaneously, student leadership identity and boundaries are blurry and in crisis. Thus, the compromised clarity of student leadership elevates implications for the confidence that is required for the role and task of student leadership. Consequently, efforts to reduce the anxiety of student leadership ought to be a priority. Psychologists are indicated to play a crucial role in restoring the psychological safety and security of student leaders

There is (not) a black president : a psychodynamic exploration of doubts about Obama\u27s citizenship in a post-racial America

Using the psychodynamic concepts of projection and paranoia, this paper examines the phenomenon of challenges to Barack Obama\u27s American citizenship. Through analysis of various acts of media and political discourse, the birthers\u27 claim that Obama is not a citizen—and can thus not be president—is situated within the larger context of the current ideological position of \u27colorblind\u27 racism and of America as \u27post-racial.\u27 Further links are made with sociopolitical conspiracy theory as well as with historical Nativist and populist movements. Through this exploration, the paper suggests that the significance of Obama\u27s presidency and the intensity of the anxiety that it has produced are predicated upon an understanding of America as a white nation. The implications for antiracism work are also considered

ADHD, developmental trauma & Therapeutic Community discourses

Quantitative research based on diagnostic classification has been limited in developing an understanding of ADHD and its related behaviour among children who have experienced Developmental Trauma, including neglect and abuse. Clinical practice may not attend sufficiently to the emotional experiences of these children with a diagnosis of ADHD, due to the dominance of biomedical discourse. This study utilised discourse analysis to examine discourses, of Therapeutic Community staff, about ADHD and its related behaviour among looked after children who have had experiences of Developmental Trauma. Non-medical and environmental discourses were dominant in this setting. A Biopsychosocial discourse legitimised multi-disciplinary collaboration between Therapeutic Community and mainstream practice for complex difficulties among this population of children. Children’s understanding of ADHD and stimulant medication prescribed for this diagnosis, along with clinical and research implications, were considered

A study of the working interface between two different therapy and counselling modalities in a low-cost service

This is the account of a qualitative study of practitioners in a low-cost counselling and psychotherapy scheme in a rural town. The practitioners within the organisation have been trained in two major modalities, psychodynamic and humanistic. The aim of the research is to look at how the three key psychoanalytic concepts: therapeutic alliance; transference and containment are understood and employed by these practitioners with the aim of demonstrating the differences, similarities and meeting points between the modalities. A total of twenty-eight participants met in six focus groups. These participants were already members of existing groups within the structure of the organisation i.e. the trustees, the management group and four mentor groups. The researcher was the Clinical Director of the service at the time of the study. She was the moderator in each group and an independent observer was present in each group. The discussions were recorded and transcribed and a thematic analysis was then undertaken. The psychoanalytic concepts were adopted as top down themes each with six associated sub-themes. Three further major themes were identified namely: the power dynamics in the therapy relationship; reference to theory: barrier or bridge to communication, and the therapy relationship. The thematic analysis revealed where the statements from the participants in the two modalities agreed, differed and/or demonstrated meeting points. The study includes a reflexivity section focussing on the dynamics of the researcher as the director of the organisation throughout the process, the contributions of the observer in the focus groups and the reflections of the participants about their experience in the focus groups. In addition, how the participants differed and what impact the research has had on the service was thought about in the context of the possible unconscious processes present in this work setting. It was found that there were key differences in the way practitioners from each modality approached the psychoanalytic concepts, but there were also differences between practitioners of the same modality. The differences about theoretical language and experts were substantial. Overall, the participants were able to discuss the subjects and exchange differing viewpoints with enthusiasm and curiosity. These findings are not generalizable to all psychotherapy services, but are likely to be relevant and transferable to those services, both voluntary and otherwise, that employ practitioners from different modalities. A conclusion was that it is not advisable to try and impose one way of working from one theoretical background onto another. This conclusion has implications for the service when providing training events, when matching practitioners with supervisors and when training mentors to lead and facilitate groups of practitioners from differing modalities. The study also offers contributions to the therapy world at large towards the contemporary thinking about the three psychoanalytic concepts, the timing of integrating therapy approaches, the value of mixed modality discussion groups, the obstacles to understanding that theoretical language can cause and the importance of the observation of the unconscious processes in such settings.

From postmodern to psychodynamics : deconstructing sex offender registration and notification policies

This theoretical thesis is a multilayered study that interrogates Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) policies from many angles: 1) a deconstruction of the legislation itself (logistics, stipulations, restrictions and enforcement); 2) the impact such policies have on individuals who are required to register; 3) the impact on communities in creating public spaces that are increasingly policed and thereby adding to the expansion of the prison industrial complex; 4) the implications and effectiveness sex offender registries (SORs) have in preventing sexually predatory behavior and acts of sexual violence; and 5) the implicit values and beliefs underlying hegemonic U.S. discourse surrounding sexual violence and abuse. By constructing what and who gets deemed innocent and who and what gets marked as deviant and dangerous, SORN legislation consequently strengthens dominant paradigms of White, upper/middle class notions of motherhood, childhood and acceptable sexuality by making meaning of erotic innocence and constructing the predator . Conducting a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of how SORN policies are written, the historical context for the regulation of sexual practices, and the intended and unintended consequences of enforcing such policies, will elucidate how legislation is used to validate dominant constructions of race, gender, sexuality, and innocence. By reifying signifiers for such constructions and bolstering widespread acceptance of these categories as objective truths , SORN regulations function to protect White heteropatriarchy, capitalism and the prison industrial complex. Postmodern theory and psychodynamic concepts of ego defenses and object relations will be discussed in the context of SORN policies and Collective Identity

I love my children... but I hate being a mom : exploring narratives of maternal ambivalence in anonymous, digital spaces

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore narratives of maternal ambivalence displayed on an anonymous, digital discussion forum. This investigation based on an analysis of 341 written discussion posts shared on a message thread of a public website, which became an anonymous platform for mothers expressing negative feelings about mothering. This central questions of this study focus on how mothers\u27 described their maternal ambivalence, what factors impact their ambivalence, whether they discuss guilt, shame, and social stigma associated with maternal ambivalence, and what participants reported gaining from their use of the site. The findings of this study suggest the need for a broadening of the definition of maternal ambivalence to more closely match participants\u27 definitions. Participants of this study defined their maternal ambivalence as loving their children, but hating their role as a mother. Their redefinition of the term is a departure from the popular definition of maternal ambivalence, and demonstrates the importance of an expansion of the term. Further, a combination of relational, intrapsychic, and environmental/situational factors were found to make maternal ambivalence more difficult or easier to manage. Feelings of guilt, shame and perceived social stigma were found to negatively impact mothers experiencing ambivalence, and inhibit them from expressing or seeking support for maternal ambivalence. Use of this anonymous discussion forum was found to provide a safe environment where mothers experienced support, relief, reduction in isolation, and where mothers gave each other advice, encouragement, and validated one another\u27s feelings and experiences. Lastly, a kind of critical dialogue was found to emerge on the site discussion board, in which posters began to critique social messages and cultural pressures, and to conceptualize new paradigms for womanhood and motherhood. Implications for the field of social work practice were drawn from these findings to normalize feelings of ambivalence, identify factors that impact ambivalence, and facilitate mothers in accessing support for ambivalence

Risk assessment practice within primary mental health care: A logics perspective

From the 1980s onwards, discourses of risk have continued to grow, almost in ubiquity. Ideas and practices of risk and risk aversion have extended to UK mental health care where services are expected to assess and manage risks, and high-quality clinical assessment has been revised to incorporate risk assessment. This article problematises practices of risk assessment in mental health provision, focussing on the base-rate problem. It presents an analysis of audio recordings of risk assessments completed within a primary care mental health service. The analysis is informed by a critical logics approach which, using ideas from discourse theory as well as Lacanian psychoanalysis, involves developing a set of logics to describe, analyse and explain social phenomena. We characterise the assessments as functioning according to social logics of well-oiled administration and preservation, whereby bureaucratic processes are prioritised, contingency ironed out or ignored, and a need to manage potential risks to the service are the dominant operational frames. These logics are considered in terms of their beatific and horrific fantasmatic dimensions, whereby risk assessment is enacted as infallible (beatific) until clients become threats (horrific), creating a range of potential false negatives, false positives and so forth. These processes function to obscure or background problems with risk assessment, by generating practices that favour and offer protection to assessors, at the expense of those being assessed, thus presenting a challenge to the stated aim of risk assessment practice