Theoretical and Conceptual Notes Concerning Transference and Countertransference Processes in Groups and by Groups,and the Social Unconscious: Part I

In this article I will outline the main theories and conceptualisations of transference and countertransference in groups and by groups, and the social unconscious. I am increasingly convinced that working in and with transference and countertransference processes is vital to the clinical project, and that taking a ‘relational’ perspective is essential to this. Based on a monograph that I am writing about transference and countertransference processes, these notes are not new, but I hope that they will be useful, especially to students and younger colleagues. In Part I, I will consider transference and countertransference processes by individual persons in groups, and in Part II, to be published in March 2007, transference processes by groups of persons. In Part III, to be published in June 2007, I will summarise a few points about the theory and concept of the social unconscious, focusing on the effects of the social unconscious on transference and countertransference processes.