The process of writing a book is rarely free of all difficulty. To the following people I owe a great debt of gratitude for helping me through the more demanding times. I first wish to thank Professor David Parkin for his kindness, goodwill, and invaluable guidance, as well as for providing me with the priceless example not only of how a scholar should work (but also, unbeknown to him) of how a scholar should be. What a precious model he provided. I am also greatly indebted to my discussions with Dr Matias Spektor—a most dear friend and always a positive force behind the scenes. Important others who challenged and/or helped me were especially Dr Ben Hebbert (a true companion), Dr Audrey Cantile, Dr Elisabeth Hsu, Professor Wendy James, Professor Roger Goodman, Dr Maria Luca, Professor Tanya Luhrmann, Professor Andrew Samuels, Professor Peter Fonagy, Joe Yarbourgh, Rob Waygood, Professor Roland Littlewood, Dr Adrianne Baker, Dr Simcha Brooks, Professor Richard Sholzt, Mark Knight, Nancy Browner, and, more recently, Rev James Wilkinson. To all of you I offer my deepest gratitude. Finally, I owe especial thanks to Dr Karem Roitman who gave me the great benefit of her close reading of the text, her sensible advice, astute commentary, as well as her tireless encouragement and support.
I must also thank the training institutes that allowed me access to their staff and students, and all the interviewees and informants who kindly gave up their time for the benefit of this research. I wish to thank for their assistance the librarians at Regent’s College School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, the Institute of Psychoanalysis, Oxford University, Senate House (University of London), Cambridge University. My gratitude also to my colleagues and students at Roehampton University, and especially to Professor Del Lowenthal for his constant backing and encouragement.
Financial help for this book came through the generous assistance of the Equity Trust Fund (John Fernald Award), and from various sources from St Cross College and the University of Oxford —to all these benefactors I am greatly indebted. I also owe deep gratitude to the staff and members of St Cross College, Oxford, whose kind and stimulating company (often during a lunch) offered solace during the dips in research.
Finally, I wish to thank my parents and family for their support, encouragement and love. If this book is to be dedicated to anyone at all, then let me dedicate it to them.