Suchergebnisse

There is a plethora of publications offering methodologies and styles of consultation for the hundreds of thousands of people who engage in organizational and management consulting work. Yet we know little about the psychodynamics of the consultation process, how the consultant influences this process and is, in turn, influenced by it. This is where a psychoanalytic perspective on the process can be especially valuable. In this article, we explore the challenges and complexities associated with a psychoanalytic orientation to the consulting process. In particular, we explore the transference and counter-transference issues that a consultant typically faces when engaging in this work. We establish the analysis of transference as a key to diagnosis and intervention and then offer a methodology for this form of consulting.

We start with the premise that organizations are processes of human behavior that are experienced as experiential and perceptual systems governed by unconscious processes. This starting point leads us to discuss psychoanalytically informed organizational perspectives as a means of understanding how psychological reality shapes organizational dynamics. In particular, we argue that psychoanalytic organizational diagnosis requires a central role for transference and counter-transference. That is, interpreting data through the lens of transference and counter-transference assists in unpacking organizational identity and culture by relying upon an `experience near' stance for examining the narratives of organizational life. This introspective and empathic stance makes transference and counter-transference one of the core elements of a psychoanalytically informed organizational consultation. We provide a case illustration and conclude with some thoughts on how leaders and members of organizations can improve organizational performance by attending to the complex nature of psychological reality in the workplace.

Gegenübertragungs-Reaktionen können genutzt werden um latente Interview-Inhalte zu erkennen. Dies wird beschrieben anhand eines Beispiels aus der Arbeit des Forschungsprojekts Geschichte und Erinnerung. In diesem Projekt wurden Interviews mit Männern und Frauen, die Hitler und den Nationalsozialismus bejaht und aktiv mitgetragen hatten (normalen NS-Mitläufern und -Tätern) durchgeführt und ausgewertet.

Bibliography: pages 146-155. ; This is a psychodynamic study of the white clinician's countertransference in cross-racial psychotherapy. Available evidence indicates that racial conflicts, despite their salience in South Africa, are rarely addressed in psychotherapy practice, training or research. The research that has been conducted is reviewed and the limitations of the natural scientific paradigm are discussed. Hermeneutics - the art of interpretation - is presented as a more appropriate methodology for the study of human beings. The researcher conducted one unstructured interview with each of seven 'liberal', white therapists (six clinical psychologist, three of each sex, and one female psychiatric social worker) regarding their experience of cross-racial psychotherapy. The interview protocols are reflected upon and the common themes explicated and described. Three primary themes emerge, regarding, amongst other phenomena, the participants' feelings of 'white guilt' and their inhibition of the expression of 'black anger', feelings of helplessness and sexual conflicts. General defensive approaches adopted by the clinicians include the use of their professional role and of patient characteristics, the adoption of directive approaches and the practice of overcompensation. Defence mechanisms employed include those of intellectualisation, displacement, denial, rationalisation and projection. The need to make reparation is pervasive. A Kleinian analysis of 'white guilt' is presented and the researcher's role as interviewer is reflected upon. Implications of the results for practice, training and research are discussed. Amongst these are the need for formal training and self-reflection, suggestions with regard to attuning oneself to countertransference and with regard to the handling of cross-racial therapy, the presentation of research possibilities and a discussion regarding the clinician's political role. It is concluded that, in many cases, cross-racial psychotherapy can be effective and that the chances of its success are enhanced by the tackling of counter-transference and other racial barriers.