The Group as an Object of Desire: Exploring Sexuality in Group Therapy

by Nitsun; Morris

• ISBN13: 9781583918715
• ISBN10: 158391871X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-08-23
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Why do people find it so difficult to talk openly about sex? In this original and ground-breaking book, Morris Nitsun argues that desire and sexuality are key components of human experience that have been marginalized in the group psychotherapy literature. Drawing on theory from psychoanalysis, developmental psychology and sociology, while keeping the group firmly in focus, he creates a picture of the potential in group therapy for the most intimate narrative. Highlighting current concerns about sexual identity, boundary transgression and what constitutes effective psychotherapy, detailed clinical illustrations cover areas such as: The erotic connection The dissociation of desire The group as witness Erotic transference and counter-transference Psychotherapists and all those interested in sexual development and diversity will value the challenging approach to sexuality this book offers.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Introduction	1	(10)
PART 1 The wider discourse	11	(76)
1 Discourses of desire	13	(19)
2 Sexual development	32	(22)
3 Sex and psychoanalysis	54	(21)
4 Sex and politics	75	(12)
PART 2 The group discourse	87	(72)
5 Sex in group psychotherapy — a review	89	(19)
6 Desire in group analysis	108	(29)
7 A group psychotherapy perspective of sexuality	137	(22)
PART 3 The clinical discourse	159	(88)
Introduction to Part 3	161	(21)
8 The erotic connection	163	(11)
9 The theme of incest	174	(8)
10 Dissociated desire	182	(12)
11 The group as witness	194	(11)
12 Sexual pairing	205	(12)
13 Erotic transference and counter-transference	217	(14)
14 Homosexuality in the group	231	(16)
PART 4 The linked discourse	247	(36)
15 The therapist	249	(20)
16 Overview - linking theory and practice	269	(14)
References	283	(12)
Index	295