Psychoanalytic Approaches to Loss Mourning, Melancholia and Couples The Library of Couple and Family Psychoanalysis Series

Psychoanalytic Approaches to Loss: Mourning, Melancholia and Couplesapplies 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 Coupleswill 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.

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

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.