Individuals and Institutions – Exploring the Interface

An Oxford conference to celebrate the 80th birthday of Dr Isabel Menzies Lyth.

Dr Menzies Lyth

Applying psychoanalytic concepts, especially those derived from Klein and Bion in relation to individuals, Dr Isabel Menzies Lyth has sought to explore and help modify those anxieties – and associated defenses – which develop in institutions; and which prevent them from optimally fulfilling their primary tasks. The work has been far reaching, taking her from the study of child care settings, an orthopedic hospital, and recruitment into a fire brigade, to motorcyclists and the consumption of chocolate and ice cream. Her seminal study of the nursing service of a general hospital is a classic that has influenced a wide variety of theorists and practitioners in institutional settings.

Since coming to Oxford, Dr Menzies Lyth has continued her contribution, by working as a psychoanalyst, a supervisor, as consultant to individuals in their instuitional roles, and as a consultant to institutions. This participative conference, a celebration of her 80th birthday, will explore how the concepts underpinning her work find application in current practice.

PROGRAMME

MORNING SESSION (Abraham Lecture Theatre).
ANXIETY, DEFENCES, AND THE PSYCHOSOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

  • 10.15 INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY – DR ERIC MILLER (CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN) Senior Consultant Tavistock Institute
  • 10.25 DETERMINING THE BALANCE BETWEEN PSYCHIC & SOCIAL – DR ARTHUR HYATT WILLIAMS Psychoanalyst
  • 10.45 SOCIAL DEFENCES AND ORGANISTIONAL CHANGE – MR TIM DARTINGTON Group and Organisational Consultant. Member OPUS
  • 11.05 DISCUSSION

AFTERNOON SESSION (Abraham Lecture Theatre).
APPLICATIONS IN CONSULTATION AND SUPERVISION

  • 2.15 REFLECTIONS ON A CONSULTATION AT THE COTSWOLD COMMUNITY – MR JOHN WHITWELL Principal, Cotswold Community
  • 2.35 REFLECTIONS ON SUPERVISION AND BEING SUPERVISED – DR DAPHNE BRIGGS Child Psychotherapist
  • 2.55 DISCUSSION
  • 4.00 CONCLUDING COMMENTS
A Note from John

My presentation at this conference can be found in the Papers section of the website, “The Experience of External Consultancy in a Therapeutic Community for Children.”
The photo of Isabel, while not the best, was taken at this conference.