Psychoanalytic Approaches to Loss

Psychoanalytic Approaches to Loss: Mourning, Melancholia and Couples applies psychoanalytic ideas to the clinically complex issue of loss in couples and families and outlines a new model for the treatment of associated unresolved grief. In line with contemporary approaches to couple and family psychoanalysis, this integrated object relations and link theory model provides a clear framework and approach for assessing and treating this clinical presentation. The book brings together contributions from internationally known and respected clinicians and authors who focus on loss, including repeated pregnancy loss, the loss of a child or parent and the loss of a relationship itself. These psychoanalytic couple therapists take the reader inside their consulting rooms, enabling observation of their approaches to the treatment of couples experiencing loss and associated unresolved grief. Psychoanalytic Approaches to Loss: Mourning, Melancholia and Couples will make an important contribution to the literature on grief and mourning and the application of psychoanalytic thinking to couples presenting with difficulties linked to unresolved grief, following loss. It represents an essential resource to psychotherapists, counsellors, family therapists, mental health professionals and many others supporting those experiencing loss.

Timothy Keogh is a training and supervising analyst and full member of the Australian Psychoanalytical Society. He is Honorary Senior Lecturer, Medical School, University of Sydney, and a research fellow of the International Psychoanalytical Society. Cynthia Gregory-Roberts is an individual, couple and family psychoanalytic psychotherapist in private practice in Sydney, Australia. She is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers and College of Social Work and an accredited Mental Health Social Worker.

CONTENTS Acknowledgements Contributors Preface David Scharff Introduction Timothy Keogh SECTION I Theoretical understandings and clinical approaches to loss Chapter One Timothy Keogh Psychoanalytic understanding of loss and its relevance to couples and families Chapter Two Elizabeth Palacios Link Theory and Object Relations Theory: An enriched approach to working with melancholic couples Chapter Three Cynthia Gregory-Roberts & Timothy Keogh Assessing and formulating the significance of issues of unresolved loss in couples functioning Chapter Four Timothy Keogh & Cynthia Gregory-Roberts A proposed theoretical framework and model for intervention Section II Loss in couples and families: Theory and practice Chapter Five Anna Maria Nicolò & Stefania Tambone Family defenses against mourning Chapter Six Judith Pickering Intergenerational loss in couples Chapter Seven Catriona Wrottesley Early loss of a parent and coupling difficulties Chapter Eight Carl Bagnini Loss of a pregnancy and its psychic impact Chapter Nine Monica Vorchheimer Loss in the everyday life of couples Epilogue