Sacred Psychoanalysis - etheses Repository - University of ...

APPENDICES
Appendix 1. Introductory Letter, Interview Questions and Ethical Consent Form
1. The emergence of spirituality in contemporary psychoanalysis.
Introduction
My name is Alistair Ross and the focus of my research is the emergence of religion and
spirituality in contemporary psychoanalysis. This research interest arises out of: my
longstanding academic interest in Freud - I am currently writing about Freud's
correspondence with the Rev. Oskar Pfister, including fresh translations of unpublished
edited correspondence; my clinical practice as a psychodynamic counsellor, supervisor and
trainer (I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and
Psychotherapy and a member of the West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy); and my
status and experience as a nonconformist minister of religion (Baptist) and Pastoral
theologian. A number of these interests came together in a recent chapter entitled
“Psychodynamic counselling, religion and spirituality” published in Sue Wheeler ed. (2006)
Difference and diversity in counselling -- contemporary psychodynamic perspectives
published by Palgrave Macmillan. I can provide a photocopy of this on request.
Research focus
There is a widespread perception of the growth of spirituality in culture and therapy in the
last two decades. This research explores how this is experienced within contemporary
psychoanalytic thought and practice, when traditionally psychoanalysis has been
antipathetic towards religion.
Interview focus
Following a conversation with Patrick Casement in 2003 about this work, my intention is to
interview psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic thinkers who have published work concerning
religion, spirituality, philosophy and culture as these relate to psychoanalysis. The focus
would be to determine the narrative of religion and spirituality in contemporary
psychoanalysis as viewed from different perspectives and cultures.
Ethical consent.
A separate sheet covers this matter.
Contact Details
Alistair Ross, Academic Team Leader – Counselling, Lecturer in Counselling
(Psychodynamic), School of Public Policy, University of Birmingham, Weoley Park Road,
Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6LL
From September 1 st 2007 the University of Birmingham is transferring all counselling
training to Newman College of Higher Education, Birmingham. My contact details at
Newman College are (supplied in the original sheet). My home e-mail is as supplied as is
my home telephone number and I am available most evenings.
358