Thoroughly Unprepared Lecture by Elizabeth Simpson

In her paper Elizabeth examines life transitions through middle age, the so-called mid-life crisis, and into older age.  She explores the developmental process and psychic work we and our patients face when confronted by these transitions, among other things considering defences that might previously have protected us from unconscious deep-seated, perhaps unwanted aspects of ourselves that can be challenged by transitions and, positively how working on these can potentially free up the development of new more ego-syntonic identities at any stage of life. Elizabeth draws attention to the psychic situation of elder therapists, and maybe others in the helping professions,  as they begin to contemplate retirement.   In her paper, Elizabeth particularly draws on the work of the Jungian Analyst, Dr Murry Stein.   However, the breadth of  her  paper and the model she brings for discussion will appeal   to both Jungian Analysts and Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Psychotherapists

The event will be chaired by Julian Masters. 

About the Speaker:

Elizabeth Simpson is a retired Jungian Psychotherapist who until a few years ago was an active member of the West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy (WMIP). She taught on the Jungian Training and is an ex-chair of their Trustees. She represented the WMIP at the UKCP and became chair of the Analytic Training Committee participating in the evaluation of trainings across the country. Elizabeth previously worked for the government as a curriculum specialist, and also in higher education in the training of teachers. In retirement, Elizabeth has been developing her writing interests and currently shares the running of a writers’ group who meet regularly think about their work and support each other.