Overview

Exploring the entanglement of religion and psychotherapy in twentieth-century Scotland Far from being washed away by the tide of secularization that swept post-war United Kingdom, one of the ways in which Christianity in Scotland survived, and transformed itself, was by drawing on the alliances that it had built earlier in the century with psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. Psychoanalysis was seen as a way to purify Christianity, and to propel it in a scientifically rational and socially progressive direction. This book draws upon a wealth of archival research to uncover the complex interaction between religion and psychotherapy in twentieth-century Scotland. It explores the practical and intellectual alliance created between the Scottish churches and Scottish psychotherapy that found expression in the work of celebrated figures such as the radical psychiatrist R.D. Laing and the pioneering psychoanalyst W.R.D. Fairbairn, as well as the careers of less well-known individuals such as the psychotherapist Winifred Rushforth. Key Features -Uncovers the hidden alliance between psychoanalytic psychotherapy and Scottish Christianity. -Exposes the continuity running from Christian discourses, practices and organizations to New Age spirituality in Scotland. -Draws on extensive archival research on key figures such as R.D. Laing and organizations such as The Davidson Clinic

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9781474446976

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Reviews

In this meticulously researched study, Gavin Miller demonstrates the extent to which Scottish psychotherapists drew critically upon the symbols and discourses of theology to promote holistic and relational accounts of the human person. His monograph is a major contribution to our understanding of some of the most creative intellectual forces at work within twentieth-century Scotland.--David Fergusson, University of Edinburgh Miller provides a detailed account of a neglected aspect of the history of psychotherapy and outlines the intellectual archeology of the foundations of Scottish psychotherapy, which he traces to the late Victorian period. He argues convincingly for the importance of religion to Scottish psychotherapists, which led them, in contrast to Freud, to emphasize love and mutual cooperation, rather than conflict and individual selfinterest.--Allan Beveridge ""Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences"" Miller's book undoubtedly stands as a valuable contribution to local histories of psychotherapy and an example of good historical scholarship on the interface between psychology and religion.--Naomi Richman ""Psychoanalysis and History"" This is a meticulously researched study of the interplay between religion and psychotherapy in Scotland from the interwar period up until the New Age. [...] The chronological and thematic structure of the book works well. History is brought to life in this text through the interweaving of small anecdotes, such as Sean Connery's alleged experiments and Prince Charles's interest, and fragments of source texts.--Tine Van Osselaer, University of Antwerp ""Journal of Ecclesiastical History"" Truly compelling and a valued asset to anyone involved in religiousstudies, theology, pastoral counselling or cultural anthropology.--Patricia 'Iolana ""History Scotland""

"In this meticulously researched study, Gavin Miller demonstrates the extent to which Scottish psychotherapists drew critically upon the symbols and discourses of theology to promote holistic and relational accounts of the human person. His monograph is a major contribution to our understanding of some of the most creative intellectual forces at work within twentieth-century Scotland.--David Fergusson, University of Edinburgh Miller provides a detailed account of a neglected aspect of the history of psychotherapy and outlines the intellectual archeology of the foundations of Scottish psychotherapy, which he traces to the late Victorian period. He argues convincingly for the importance of religion to Scottish psychotherapists, which led them, in contrast to Freud, to emphasize love and mutual cooperation, rather than conflict and individual selfinterest.--Allan Beveridge ""Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences"" Miller's book undoubtedly stands as a valuable contribution to local histories of psychotherapy and an example of good historical scholarship on the interface between psychology and religion.--Naomi Richman ""Psychoanalysis and History"" This is a meticulously researched study of the interplay between religion and psychotherapy in Scotland from the interwar period up until the New Age. [...] The chronological and thematic structure of the book works well. History is brought to life in this text through the interweaving of small anecdotes, such as Sean Connery's alleged experiments and Prince Charles's interest, and fragments of source texts.--Tine Van Osselaer, University of Antwerp ""Journal of Ecclesiastical History"" Truly compelling and a valued asset to anyone involved in religiousstudies, theology, pastoral counselling or cultural anthropology.--Patricia 'Iolana ""History Scotland"""

Author Information

Gavin Miller, Senior Lecturer in Medical Humanities, School of Critical Studies, University of Glasgow.

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