Lacanian Psychoanalysis

Jacques Lacan's impact upon the theory and practice of psychoanalysis worldwide cannot be underestimated. Lacanian Psychoanalysis looks at the current debates surrounding Lacanian practice and explores its place within historical, social and political contexts. The book argues that Lacan’s elaboration of psychoanalytic theory is grounded in clinical practice and needs to be defined in relation to the four main traditions: psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy and spirituality. As such topics of discussion include: the intersection between psychoanalysis and social transformationa new way through deadlocks of current Lacanian debatea new approach to ‘clinical structures’ of neurosis, perversion and psychosis Lacanian Psychoanalysis draws on Lacan's work to shed light on issues relevant to current therapeutic practice and as such it will be of great interest to students, trainees and practitioners of psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, counselling and other domains of personal and social change.

"Ian Parker has given us an elegant marriage of revolutionary discourses: Lacan, of subjectivity; Marx, of society and the human condition. Neither side absorbs the other, and the psychoanalytic project is advanced without lapsing into conformism." - Joel Kovel, formerly Distinguished Professor of Social Studies at Bard College, New York, USA"Here is a very interesting book that studies in a rigorous way, and with social psychological methods, the clinical practice of Lacanian psychoanalysts. An original approach to the question." - Elisabeth Roudinesco, Director of Research in History, University of Paris – Diderot, France"This book elucidates why and how revolution should necessarily be the origin of the power of the subject, making us revolve now around the two foci: inside and outside the clinic, and thus through any possible Lacanian universe of discourse." - Kazushige Shingu, Professor of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Japan"At last, a book series that will help to make the ideal of effective continuing professional development in the fields of psychotherapy and counselling more of a reality. Without being partisan or requiring an unrealistically high level of existing knowledge, the books offer a unique opportunity for experienced practitioners and advanced students to encounter the cutting edge of theory in their particular theoretical model." - Andrew Samuels, Professor of Analytical Psychology, University of Essex, UK"What is most refreshing about Parker's approach in Lacanian Psychoanalysis – and what sets it aside from more sycophantic treatments of this topic – is the fact that Parker's evident commitment to this mode of clinical practice occurs alongside a sharpened critical nous. He represents a distinctive line of Lacanian thought, undercutting and questioning certain assumptions of psychoanalysis while working with and developing others. His devotion to ideology critique and critical psychology combines here with an attention to the specificity of the instruments of the psychoanalytic clinic and how they may be utilitsed towards non-ideological ends." - Derek Hook, Psychodynamic Practice, Volume 18, Issue 2, March 2012, "Ian Parker has given us an elegant marriage of revolutionary discourses: Lacan, of subjectivity; Marx, of society and the human condition. Neither side absorbs the other, and the psychoanalytic project is advanced without lapsing into conformism." - Joel Kovel, formerly Distinguished Professor of Social Studies at Bard College, New York, USA"Here is a very interesting book that studies in a rigorous way, and with social psychological methods, the clinical practice of Lacanian psychoanalysts. An original approach to the question." - Elisabeth Roudinesco, Director of Research in History, University of Paris – Diderot, France"This book elucidates why and how revolution should necessarily be the origin of the power of the subject, making us revolve now around the two foci: inside and outside the clinic, and thus through any possible Lacanian universe of discourse." - Kazushige Shingu, Professor of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Japan"At last, a book series that will help to make the ideal of effective continuing professional development in the fields of psychotherapy and counselling more of a reality. Without being partisan or requiring an unrealistically high level of existing knowledge, the books offer a unique opportunity for experienced practitioners and advanced students to encounter the cutting edge of theory in their particular theoretical model." - Andrew Samuels, Professor of Analytical Psychology, University of Essex, UK"What is most refreshing about Parker's approach in Lacanian Psychoanalysis – and what sets it aside from more sycophantic treatments of this topic – is the fact that Parker's evident commitment to this mode of clinical practice occurs alongside a sharpened critical nous. He represents a distinctive line of Lacanian thought, undercutting and questioning certain assumptions of psychoanalysis while working with and developing others. His devotion to ideology critique and critical psychology combines here with an attention to the specificity of the instruments of the psychoanalytic clinic and how they may be utilitsed towards non-ideological ends." - Derek Hook, Psychodynamic Practice, Volume 18, Issue 2, March 2012

Ian Parker is Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). He was co-founder in 1991, and is currently co-director of the Discourse Unit at MMU. He is also a practising psychoanalyst in Manchester.