Ring of Fire: Primitive Affects and Object Relations in Group Psychotherapy

Ring of Firebrings together a collection of original contributions to an understanding of primitive object relations and intensely critical emotional states which present the maximum challenge to the group psychotherapist: the "ring of fire." The international contributors, based primarily in the US and UK, address the areas of their special interest to which they have devoted considerable research and therapeutic effort. They provide insights into the dynamics of these issues and guide the therapist in the management and interpretation of the groups' events as they unfold. While much has been written on primitive group states, the information is scattered throughout many journals and books and all too often does not address the practical problems faced by the group therapist. Furthermore, there have been significant developments in affect theory and object relations theory which have yet to be assimilated sufficiently into the theory and technique of group psychotherapy. This bookattempts to reduce that gap as it concentrates on the relevance of concepts to treatment. Ring of Firewill be invaluable to group psychotherapy supervisors, beginning and experienced group therapists, students and supervisors of group psychotherapy and group dynamics, and organizational consultants who utilize group dynamic principles in their work.