Sacred Psychoanalysis - etheses Repository - University of ...

Fast forward two years and I am sitting in an anonymous waiting room in an unfamiliar
hospital waiting to be called. While I would not normally describe myself as anxious, that
‘anxious waiting’ is a now an aspect of me I recognize. Any anxiety was allayed when on
exiting the lift I was greeted warmly by AL, with her big smile and welcoming handshake.
We moved to her office and while setting up the recording equipment talked about journeys,
meeting again and ethical permission. It was a swelteringly hot day despite all the windows
being open. AL said that we had just over the hour as she had supervision and mentioned
that she didn’t normally do interviews, as her life was incredibly busy. I replied that she had
obviously been promoted since I last saw her, she laughed. Warmth, laughter and shared
discovery - spiritual and psychoanalytic - were to be the hallmarks of this interview.
Personal ontology
AL’s Italian, Egyptian, French and British familial and educational backgrounds give her a
capacity to see how culture-bound groups can become, where what is held as the ‘truth’ is
only that held by this culture and may not be truth in any absolute sense. AL sees
relationship as vital, a quality of human encounter that enhances others and her choice of
analysts was on the basis of relational being rather than reputation. This reinforces the vital
importance of compassion for patients that AL communicates. Being inspired and inspiring
others is vital for AL as she writes what she feels passionate about. Knowledge is for
sharing, connecting, inspiring as ‘I really do live and breathe these ideas’ expressing
something creative in her. Belonging is also a central concern and AL finds a sense of
belonging in the psychoanalytic community and the wider professional community. Insight
into self has been a hallmark of AL’s life, entering analysis at a young age (20) and is part
of a lifelong quest to discover more in herself and others. She wishes to utilize the
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