Brief Encounters with Couples

Deriving from a conference organised by the Tavistock Marital Studies Institute the present volume draws the main focus of its inquiry from a few fundamental questions. In its various brief encounters and in disparate contexts how effective can a psychoanalytic approach be when it addresses the parental/child or adult couple relationship? What specific quality of contact can be achieved in the relationship between client(s) and therapist in shorter-term work? This compilation of essays written by experienced practitioners engages directly and positively these and other questions demonstrating with clinical material the efficacious contribution of a psychoanalytic psychotherapy. In both the similarity and variety of responses to the complex issues explored the authors display a creative engagement and theoretical understanding that will be of great interest and stimulus to all professionals working in this field.