The Group as Poetic Play-Ground: From Metaphor to Metamorphosis: The 1990 S H Foulkes Annual Lecture

This lecture explores some aspects of creativity, metaphor and language which are common to the worlds of group-analysis and poetry/drama. Both depend upon poiesis - the calling into existence of that which was not there before - and responsive enactment. One of the aims of psychotherapy is to re-call into "conscious" existence and integrate previously repressed experience. This is particularly important in forensic psychotherapy. In this lecture the concept of ominiference is introduced. This is the all-carrying-allness of the group, including the conductor, which makes analysis not only tolerable and safe, but actually inviting. Group-analysis and dramatic enactment both need an adequate playground; a space set aside in which it is safe to play. The lecture cites passages from Freud, Foulkes and Winnicott which refer to the comparison between the work of the therapist and that of the creative artist. It develops three Foulksian themes: first trusting the group; second, consideration of group levels, with particular reference to the primordial level; third, the relevance of group analytic psychotherapy to forensic issues. After a plea for constructive dialogue between theology and group-analytic concerns, the proceedings close with readings from Shakespeare on related themes.