The Life and Work of Joan Riviere traces her journey from dressmaker's apprentice, and member of the Society for Psychical Research, to Sigmund Freud's patient and his favourite translator. Marion Bower examines Riviere's important legacy and contribution to the early development of psychoanalysis. Riviere was also a close friend and colleague of Melanie Klein and wrote her own highly original and influential papers on female sexuality and other topics, in particular Womanliness as a Masquerade (1929). Her position in the British Psychoanalytic Society was unusual as a direct link between Freud and Klein. Her own papers were extraordinarily prescient of developments in psychoanalysis, as well as the social climate of the time. Riviere's experience as a dressmaker gave her an interest in female sexuality, and she proceeded to significantly challenge Freud's views. She also defended Klein from ferocious attacks by Melitta Schmideberg (Klein's daughter) and Anna Freud. The Life and Work of Joan Riviere will appeal to anyone interested in the history of psychoanalysis as well as Riviere's highly original perspectives involving feminist thought and female sexuality.

Social work deals with the heavy end of human difficulties such as cruelty, self-destructiveness, and severe and enduring mental health problems. How do social workers make sense of the emotional difficulties which come with the realities of practice? Understanding our clients is the best way of dealing with complex situations and avoiding burnout and stress. The contributors to this book argue that psychoanalysis provides a theory of development and behaviour capable of formulating a realistic model for understanding emotional difficulties and disturbances in both clients and ourselves. The chapters demonstrate a way of thinking for the practitioner that can be used in all situations. The book examines in detail some of the difficult and disturbing conversations that social workers have with clients of all ages. It provides a psychoanalytic framework for understanding circumstances which may be puzzling, stressful or frightening, and a theory whose value for many social work problems is well underpinned by research evidence. Written by senior practitioners who are all still working in the front line, this book puts complex real life experiences into words, to help the social worker become a more effective practitioner.

Written by practicing social workers and social work educators, this text analyzes modern psychoanalytic and psychosocial approaches to social work and relates them to current practices and values. Focusing on working with children and families, the text covers salient issues in social work practice including risk assessment, dealing with parents with drug and alcohol problems, supervision and management of emotional stress.

Throughout the book there is an emphasis on the realities of frontline practice, and looking at what can realistically be achieved. It also addresses the research evidence for this approach. With psychoanalytic and psychosocial approaches becoming increasingly popular, this text will be a welcome addition for professionals, students and social work educators.

The aim of this book is to provide illustrations of ways in which psychoanalytic ideas can be adapted and used in a wide variety of community settings - including social services, schools and hospitals - to help children and families who are emotionally disturbed or who have been physically or sexually abused. It is a book for professionals who are interested in using psychoanalytic ideas in their own work settings, and assumes no previous knowledge of these ideas on the part of the reader. It provides basic principles, many practical examples, further reading, and information about where to get support and consultation.

This chapter, written by a psychiatrist working with people with severe and complex addictions, sets the scene. We are provided with a graphic account of the multiple problems-physical, psychological, social, financial-of someone with severe drug addiction, where sex working and the risks of pregnancy, infection, and assault compound an already challenging presentation. The personal history of trauma and abuse means that the patient requires highly skilled and sensitive management, and adaptations in service provision-such as no morning appointments-that respect the individual's lifestyle. The conflict for professionals is encapsulated in a brief description of the responses of Vanessa Crawford's patient group when asked what messages they would like to be conveyed to future doctors: don't prejudge us, treat us as individuals, give us proper pain control-and "don't trust us". Implicit in this is the recognition that they are in the grip of something that leads them to deceive, probably themselves, but also others-a wish to pervert a relationship to someone who is trying to help. Crawford conveys the importance of being knowledgeable, but not omniscient; of helping the individual to overcome the barrier of shame, which may lead to information being withheld; and the crucial contribution of a collaborative and coherent staff team in containing such challenging patients and in helping them to turn a corner towards recovery.

The Life and Work of Joan Riviere traces her journey from dressmaker's apprentice, and member of the Society for Psychical Research, to Sigmund Freud's patient and his favourite translator. Marion Bower examines Riviere's important legacy and contribution to the early development of psychoanalysis. Riviere was also a close friend and colleague of Melanie Klein and wrote her own highly original and influential papers on female sexuality and other topics, in particular Womanliness as a Masquerade (1929). Her position in the British Psychoanalytic Society was unusual as a direct link between Freud and Klein. Her own papers were extraordinarily prescient of developments in psychoanalysis, as well as the social climate of the time. Riviere's experience as a dressmaker gave her an interest in female sexuality, and she proceeded to significantly challenge Freud's views. She also defended Klein from ferocious attacks by Melitta Schmideberg (Klein's daughter) and Anna Freud. The Life and Work of Joan Riviere will appeal to anyone interested in the history of psychoanalysis as well as Riviere's highly original perspectives involving feminist thought and female sexuality.

Social work deals with the heavy end of human difficulties such as cruelty, self-destructiveness, and severe and enduring mental health problems. How do social workers make sense of the emotional difficulties which come with the realities of practice? Understanding our clients is the best way of dealing with complex situations and avoiding burnout and stress. The contributors to this book argue that psychoanalysis provides a theory of development and behaviour capable of formulating a realistic model for understanding emotional difficulties and disturbances in both clients and ourselves. The chapters demonstrate a way of thinking for the practitioner that can be used in all situations. The book examines in detail some of the difficult and disturbing conversations that social workers have with clients of all ages. It provides a psychoanalytic framework for understanding circumstances which may be puzzling, stressful or frightening, and a theory whose value for many social work problems is well underpinned by research evidence. Written by senior practitioners who are all still working in the front line, this book puts complex real life experiences into words, to help the social worker become a more effective practitioner.

Written by practicing social workers and social work educators, this text analyzes modern psychoanalytic and psychosocial approaches to social work and relates them to current practices and values. Focusing on working with children and families, the text covers salient issues in social work practice including risk assessment, dealing with parents with drug and alcohol problems, supervision and management of emotional stress.

Throughout the book there is an emphasis on the realities of frontline practice, and looking at what can realistically be achieved. It also addresses the research evidence for this approach. With psychoanalytic and psychosocial approaches becoming increasingly popular, this text will be a welcome addition for professionals, students and social work educators.