Some impressions on taking on the leadership of a therapeutic community

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how psychoanalytic thinking can help therapeutic communities think about how the defence of psychic retreat can develop and take hold in the face of organisational transition and overwhelming loss. Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws upon the paradigm of psychoanalysis and is a case study orientated by a participant/observer stance. Findings – This paper posits that unless loss is worked through then perverse clinical cultures can develop including bullying and denial of reality. Originality/value – This paper illustrates the unique selling point of therapeutic communities incorporating justice into the treatment frame. It also identifies that unless loss is emotionally worked through then it can become the ground soil in which perverse cultures can develop.