Field Perspectives in Clinical Practice A Dialogue between Relational Psychoanalysis, Post-Bionian Psychoanalysis, and Gestalt Therapy

Introduction
Gianni Francesetti, Michela Gecele, and Paolo Migone

01. Working in the interpersonal field: Two clinical narratives
Donnel B. Stern

02. Field perspective in relational psychoanalysis: Response to Donnel Stern
Dan Bloom

03. Post-Bionian field theory and the ethical refounding of psychoanalysis
Giuseppe Civitarese

04. Field perspective in Gestalt therapy: Is a dialogue possible with post-bionian psychoanalysis?
Jean-Marie Robine

05. “Where everything shivers and speaks”: Precious fragments of experience.
Michela Gecele

06. “Necessary light that makes me the chosen host”: Field theories in Gestalt therapy and clinical practice

Gianni Francesetti

07. Discussion for Gianni Francesetti and Michela Gecele
Donna Orange

08. Anna: A clinical case study
Paola Zarini

09. Affects and dissociative field: Discussion of the clinical case by Paola Zarini
Susanna Federici and Gianni Nebbiosi

10. Anna KO
Fabio Rivara

11. “We wish you a good life, Anna!”:: A field-theory-informed view of Gestalt therapy
Jan Roubal

12. What we see and do depends on the point from where we look
Beatrix Wimmer

13. Field and psychotherapy: Attempting a new paradigm
Annibale Bertola

14. Historical remarks on the relationship between Gestalt therapy and psychoanalysis
Bernd Bocian

Biography

Gianni Francesetti, M.D., is a psychiatrist, Gestalt psychotherapist, Adjunct Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Turin (Italy), international trainer and supervisor, co-director of IPSIG and of the Turin School of Psychopathology, co-founder of IG-FEST.

Michela Gecele, M.D., is a psychiatrist and Gestalt psychotherapist. She formerly coordinated, in Turin, a psychological and psychiatric service for immigrants. International trainer and supervisor, co-director of IPSIG and of the Turin School of Psychopathology, co-founder of IG-FEST.

Paolo Migone, M.D., is editor of the Italian journal Psicoterapia e Scienze Umane (Psychotherapy and the Human Sciences), co-chair of the Rapaport-Klein Study Group, and member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association and of Psychological Issues. He founded the Italian chapters of SPR and SEPI.

'This groundbreaking book challenges the prevailing disciplinary way of thinking, adopting a transversal perspective by integrating diverse voices of experts in gestalt therapy, relational psychoanalysis, and neo-Bionian psychoanalysis. The dialogue between them focuses on the complex and frequently misunderstood concept of field, widening the lens through which we understand it by presenting and debating clinical cases, theoretical issues, and historical aspects. Simultaneously theoretical and conversational, Field Perspectives in Clinical Practice is a towering accomplishment and essential reading for clinicians and researchers in psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.'

Mônica Botelho Alvim, Ph.D., professor, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; past president of the Brazilian Association of Gestalt Therapy

'The contributing authors, each with their distinct orientations, demonstrate a remarkable willingness to transcend individual perspectives and engage in a collective chorus that fosters unprecedented development. This collaboration has yielded insights previously unimaginable. Each author’s contributions are so substantial that they merit individual volumes or entries in an encyclopedia dedicated to interpretative methods and the understanding of characters that emerge and evolve during sessions. A must-read for anyone interested in the cutting edge of psychoanalytic thought and practice, this volume is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative thinking.'

Antonino Ferro, M.D., past president of the Italian Psychoanalytic Society (SPI), SPI training & supervising analyst, APsaA and IPA member, recipient of the Sigourney Award, 2007

'This book needs to be read by everyone concerned with the evolution of contemporary psychology and psychotherapy. Like physics, which went from exploring individual bodies to exploring energy fields, cutting-edge psychotherapy concentrates less on individual internal wiring and plumbing and more on the fields that we create in our relationships. Gianni Francesetti and his colleagues have led the way, expanding field theory from Gestalt therapy in important new directions. This book is unique: it brings Gestalt therapy into dialogue with two modern psychoanalytic movements now turning toward field theory.'

Michael Vincent Miller, Ph.D., former president of the New York Institute of Gestalt Therapy, author of Intimate Terrorism