COVID and Climate: Apocalypse and Alternatives

Professor Andrew Samuels
Tuesday 28th April 5.00pm

Can psychotherapy, counselling and depth psychology contribute to securing the place of a green agenda at the heart of mainstream politics? Most of us want this, but, as many commentators agree, not enough progress is being made. Are there psychological reasons for this shortfall? Andrew Samuels argues that to change things requires a dialling down or reduction in the certitude with which climate activists communicate, and a less condemnatory attitude to human civilisation, especially in our cities. Andrew includes himself in this problem, and offers another way to thing about the emergency we are facing. The talk confronts people with the idea that many may secretly want to perish in an apocalypse despite their conscious political engagements and actions.

Professor Andrew Samuels is recognized internationally as a leading contributor to psychotherapy, counselling, analysis and depth psychology. He draws on a wide range of approaches to psyche, including post-Jungian, relational psychoanalytic and humanistic ideas. But he roots his work in people’s lived experience in their family and in society. Andrew is a Training Analyst of the Society of Analytical Psychology, in private practice in London, and was for many years Professor of Analytical Psychology at the University of Essex. He was Chair of the UK Council for Psychotherapy and (with Judy Ryde) founded Psychotherapists and Counsellors for Social Responsibility. He works as a consultant with political leaders, parties and activist groups in several countries, including the United States. He also consults to the NHS.

His many books have been translated into 21 languages, and include: The Plural Psyche (1989); The Political Psyche (1993); Politics on the Couch (2001); Persons, Passions, Psychotherapy, Politics (2014) and A New Therapy for Politics? (2016). A number of his articles, lectures and videos are available on: www.andrewsamuels.com