Nothing Clinical, Just Business? Reflections on Psychoanalytically Grounded Organizational Diagnosis and Intervention

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore psychoanalytically grounded approaches to organizational consultation. The article draws on existing literature as well as personal interviews with several contributors in the field to articulate certain critical concerns over psychoanalytically grounded organizational study and intervention. These include the inappropriate analyzing of clients, non-systemic interventions, wild analysis and collusion. The article examines in detail how contributors in the field see the work they carry out and how they respond to various criticisms. It is suggested that the parameters of clinical psychoanalysis may be used as the basis for a constructive dialog in the field aimed at addressing critical concerns and developing both theory and applications.