6. Only Connect

This chapter draws together the threads of the argument so far. What one learns from psychotherapy, what one observes in a process that requires empathy, patience and perseverence, is that there tends to be a movement away from a persecutory or paranoid/schizoid outlook on the world to one more based on humanistic concern. Old hatreds give way to more complex feelings and patients often experience that as liberating and feel that they have gained more control over their lives. The life stories of two individuals mentioned in earlier chapters and two further examples illustrate these developments.

Lord Alderdice, a psychiatrist and former Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly describes a similar process that in favourable circumstances, may bring about peace between warring communities. His experience came from his long engagement with the Northern Ireland Peace Process. Outside observers, he argues, often think there are obvious rational solutions to the problems; it’s just that the protagonists haven’t seen them. These ideas don’t work, however, they would be rather like a therapist explaining to a patient the source of their problems and imagining that that would miraculously cure them. As in individual psychotherapy, healing only comes about through the slow working through of issues and grievances. Sadly, it’s not a guaranteed outcome, and there are shameful examples of analysts who have collaborated with inhumane and repressive regimes. One can only speculate about why this might happen, but it should warn us against any facile optimism. What we learn from psychotherapeutic practice, however, is that the nurture of humanism requires far-reaching, psychologically informed change.