Politics on the Couch

Andrew Samuels has, for 40 years, been evolving a unique blend of post-Jungian, relational psychoanalytic and humanistic approaches to therapy work. He is recognized internationally as a leading commentator from a psychotherapeutic perspective on political and social problems. His work on the father, sexuality, spirituality and countertransference has also been widely appreciated. He is a Founder Board Member of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, past chair of the UK Council for Psychotherapy, and co-founder of Psychotherapists and Counsellors for Social Responsibility and also of the Alliance for Counselling and Psychotherapy. He is Professor of Analytical Psychology at Essex University and holds visiting chairs at New York, London and Roehampton Universities. His many books have been translated into 19 languages.

• Preface -- The secret life of politics -- The politics of transformation -- A new deal for women and men -- The secret politics of the internal family -- The secret psychology of political forms -- The good-enough leader -- The good-enough father of whatever sex -- Politics, spirituality, psychotherapy -- The economic psyche -- The political clinic -- Psychotherapy, the citizen and the state -- Exploring national psychologies -- The transformation of politics

'Andrew Samuels' provocative ideas about the meshing of the internal and external life would be commonsense if they were not so rare. His emphasis on the citizen as well as the politician is an important contribution to thinking about politics today. I found his book moving, insightful, and optimistic.'- Bill Bradley, former US Senator 'This highly original book refreshes our thinking on the meaning and possibilities in political life. Andrew Samuels invites us to investigate reasons why we denigrate not just our political leaders but also our own political selves and gives us potent ways to get out of the current malaise.'- Susie Orbach