BPA Scientific Meeting – No Go Areas? |David Morgan
Book ticketsOrganised by:
British Psychoanalytic Association
Description
Online via Zoom
No Go Areas?
“I think you’re concerned that I’m a white, Eurocentric, normative, cis-gendered, binary thinker who should be deposited in the dustbin of history.”
David Morgan
“Never again shall a single story be told as though it were the only one.”
John Berger
“It’s important to be open-minded but not so open-minded that your brains fall out.”
Wilfred Bion
In an assessment a patient says “Are you a binary thinker?” After some exploration, I interpret this as an expression of anxiety that I might only be capable of holding two perspectives in mind at once.
In this talk, I explore the implications of cultural shifts within the field of psychoanalysis, a discipline historically rooted in Eurocentric and “normative” frameworks. These can sometimes create “no-go areas” in analysis—where conventional interpretations may fall short of addressing the complexity of diverse and marginalised experiences.
Integrating insights from Klein and Bion, I aim to present a more inclusive approach that embraces the multiplicity of human experiences and identities. This approach allows for the coexistence of diverse narratives within the therapeutic space, fostering a more nuanced understanding of the patient’s reality. However, I also refer to Ron Britton’s concept of the “ascendancy of agreement”, where there is a risk that in our efforts to create a more inclusive and cohesive world—where everyone “belongs”—we may inadvertently suppress dissenting voices and foster a culture of cancellation. This, paradoxically, can lead to a new form of exclusion, one that punishes those who attempt to engage in open-minded dialogue.
This clinical paper seeks to navigate these complex issues within the context of psychoanalysis.
Biography
David Morgan worked as a consultant psychotherapist in the NHS for over 25 years, mainly at the Tavistock and Portman Clinic. He is a BPA training analyst and supervisor and a fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society. He is Chair of the Political Minds Seminars at the Institute of Psychoanalysis and has presented a podcast called Frontier Psychoanalyst on Resonance Radio.
The opinions and views expressed are entirely those of the speaker in a personal capacity and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the BPA.
