CONSCIOUSLY WORKING AT THE UNCONSCIOUS LEVEL: PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORY IN ACTION IN A TRAINING ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The author explores methods of working with residential child care foster care agencies in developing a psychotherapeutic culture. He suggests that such a culture can only be built on the firm foundations of clear organisational boundaries and task, but that such clarity is not sufficient. In addition, senior managers must have an understanding of unconscious processes and how they affect relationships between adults and children and between colleagues within the organisational hierarchy. The process requires a range of possible interventions including organisational consultancy, practice consultancy and staff support, specialist training and explorations of team processes.

Keywords:

• organisational culture
• unconscious communication
• theory in action
• open systems
• matching principle