Chair's welcome

Is social fragmentation a crisis or simply the way things are in the 21st century?

The concept of disintegrating communities and isolated, dysfunctional individuals could be a justification for promoting counselling and psychotherapy. Perhaps society is no more fragmented than ever but our perception and response have changed; social cohesion could be an illusion, a political ideal. But if we accept that fragmentation is a reality, should therapists intervene and if so, how?

The five keynote speakers at this year’s annual conference consider the reality and implications of social fragmentation. They agree that counselling and psychotherapy can support individuals affected by the disintegration of their personal worlds, and offer five very different perspectives on the role we can play.Babette Rothschild discusses the double-edged sword of empathy. An essential therapeutic tool, it can leave therapists reeling from the effect of other people’s lives. Babette shares recent findings on the psychology and neurophysiology of empathy, highlights the mechanisms of its transmission from one person to another, and suggests ways for practitioners to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks.

Darian Leader discusses whether fragmentation is unique to our times or whether we are simply focusing on it in a different way. He suggests it is inappropriate for therapists to halt the fragmentation process; rather, we should be aware of the risks to the individual when we try to integrate all aspects of psychic material and should focus instead on its context.

If human beings are essentially social animals, what happens to babies in a disintegrating society? Sue Gerhardt describes how early relationships shape a baby’s brain and what happens when early care is inadequate or abusive. She considers some of the social and mental health consequences of our child-rearing practices.

Camila Batmanghelidh feels that failing communities place great pressure on individuals, which can manifest itself as fear and deceit. She asks whether some kind of psychological glue is needed to hold together individuals and their communities.

Mike Shooter examines how children and adolescents reflect social deprivation in the way they react to the outside world and the way the outside world, in turn, affects how they see themselves. Can the therapist fully understand, work with and repair that deprivation?
This year’s conference promises to be lively and thought-provoking, with fascinating debates about the very nature of society and the role of our profession. We look forward to seeing you there.

Val Potter – Chair of the Association