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On Group Analysis and Beyond: Group Analysis as Meta-Theory, Clinical Social Practice, and Art

Author(s) : Anastassios Koukis

Reviews and Endorsements

‘The lack of a coherent group analytic theory has stimulated many contributions including this excellent book. Anastassios Koukis suggests a new model of the symbolic roles of father and mother in the group that is, quoting Lacan, “kaleidoscopic”, freely rotating from conductor to group. With great courage it is discussed that man as a social animal finds his natural place in a group, predetermined by organic inheritance, metaphorically called instinct or drive. The new approach is convincingly followed through the theories of Foulkes and Bion, and the transcultural aspects of groups become easier to understand. Problems of early ontogenetic origin like envy, and inherited ones like psychoses, can be easier to work with, and a comprehensive meta-theory opens up wider scope for group work.’
-- A. P. Tom Ormay, training group analyst, and former editor of the journal Group Analysis

‘Reading this book allows us to get deeply in touch with the psychodynamic approach to the phenomenon of the group. In an interesting and comprehensive way, the author explores the roots of the philosophical and psychological roles and processes that are characteristic of any group, including the transculturality that lies beyond cultural expressions and psychological syndromes. In this way the therapeutic use of groups is enlarged as being applicable to different psychopathologic, as well as psychologically difficult, situations. As a group analyst and musician, the author is very sensitive to tones emanating from participants in his groups, from where he takes clinical examples and inspiration. Sensing the unconscious and preconscious vibrations in a special way, he enters the spheres of the art of composition of the group, connecting them not only with theoretical principles but enlarging them towards meta-theoretical concepts with the rich imagery of a researcher-poet.’
-- Professor Ivan Urlic, MD, PhD, neuropsychiatrist and training group analyst