I am a Clinical Psychologist and psychoanalytic group and individual psychotherapist in private practice with consultancies to Australian Red Cross and the Victorian government for emergency recovery.
The introductory chapter to a book on how people think together in groups, teams and the wider Wo... more The introductory chapter to a book on how people think together in groups, teams and the wider World. Book description follows: This book shows how to think together with others and to help others think together with you. The chapters are written from a rich store of knowledge, experience and understanding that illuminates the hidden complexities occurring whenever people meet to collaborate, plan, review, innovate, learn, teach, consult or facilitate. From their various professions and work areas, the authors delve beneath the surface of visible interactions to reveal the knowledge and wisdom that exists in intuitive and unconscious processes. The result is a profound and informative book that is engaging, accessible and readable, to inform everyday practice in groups, teams, committees, organizations and communities.
This file contains papers as follows:
Presentazione, di Silvia Corbella e Stefania Marinelli p.4 ... more This file contains papers as follows: Presentazione, di Silvia Corbella e Stefania Marinelli p.4 Editorial, by Martin Ringer 5 1. Nous and the Social fabric of the human mind: Towards a viable theory of collective thinking Rob Gordon, Martin Ringer 11 2. Are two heads better than one? 39 Robert D.Hinshelwood 3. Psychotic Processes in the Individual and the Effects of this in Group Situations Rosealeen Tamaki 55 4. The Language of the Group Skin: What gets under the skin, attacking the capacity of teams to think. What’s wrong with being open-minded? Richard Morgan-Jones 74 5. The role of ‘opinion blocks’ in thinking in groups and teams Martin Ringer 92 6. Attention as a basis for thinking in Groups Robert French, Peter Simpson 105 7. Action and thought in the Work group Mario Perini 123 Azione e pensiero nel gruppo di lavoro 135 8. Managing unsettled states: From entanglement to relating Barry Jones 150 9. Intersubjectivity between groups and research on the setting: an experience of concentric groups with varying therapeutic gradients in the experience of Basti-Menti APS Francesco Comelli 170 9. Intersoggettività fra gruppi e cure con la cultura: 197 campo intergruppale come funzione terapeutica Basti-Menti APS (Milano) 10. Silvia Corbella interview (1) by Simone Schirinzi 228 10. Intervista a Silvia Corbella 242 Author biographical outlines 256
Traumatic events such as the bombings in Bali may cause many people to develop post-traumatic str... more Traumatic events such as the bombings in Bali may cause many people to develop post-traumatic stress, traumatic grief, anxiety or depression. This article outlines the requirements of recovery, indications of its progress and the role of general practitioners in preventive care, support and referral. Research indicates that more than half of those involved in traumatic events can expect to recover without developing a disorder. However, even optimal recovery from tragedy is a protracted and arduous task that severely taxes physical, emotional and social health. The consequences of this may show as degraded health in the second year following a tragedy.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary edition of The Australian Journal of Emergency Management... more On the occasion of the 20th anniversary edition of The Australian Journal of Emergency Management a reprint of nine articles on human responses to natural disasters written by Ruth Wraith and Rob Gordon are presented. These articles focused on the myths of human response, short-term, medium and long-term responses to disaster workers' and community responses, and the principals for support and recovery for human services.
Emergencies create widespread social disruption, which easily translates into degraded quality of... more Emergencies create widespread social disruption, which easily translates into degraded quality of life and undermines the social fabric of the affected community. A clearer understanding of these social processes may assist in conceptualising important dimensions of the impact of disaster and point the way to developing strategies to manage the social environment during recovery. This paper reflects on community and clinical observations of people in various emergencies and offers an analysis of some effects of emergencies on social fabric and suggests recovery strategies.
realm. Durkheim says that organic solidarity rests on symbols and symbolic relationships, which e... more realm. Durkheim says that organic solidarity rests on symbols and symbolic relationships, which enable boundaries and varied systems of relationships to form. The only way this can occur is through the function of language, not just as a means of communication, but as a dimension in which social phenomena are represented and mapped, so they develop abstract relationships. The functioning of language creates verbal or word representations that Freud says are the elements leading to identifications of a more complex and structured sort. These can be called Oedipal Identifications since they allow for identification on the basis that the other has or expresses something the subject lacks, and this not only has a value in desire, but also a symbolic value. However, this only occurs as long as the incompleteness is tolerated and the commonality is accepted as symbolic rather than real. Thus, the division of labour can be taken as a metaphor for the differentiation that represents each in...
The importance of understanding the social processes and dynamics that transpire within a communi... more The importance of understanding the social processes and dynamics that transpire within a community when a disaster strikes is discussed. The vital role that the affected individuals' community can play in helping him/her recover and come out of the disaster is highlighted.
The Australian journal of emergency management, 2006
Research findings that emphasize constructive responses to emergencies are described, and a numbe... more Research findings that emphasize constructive responses to emergencies are described, and a number of common responses in the immediate aftermath of an event are identified. Some simple strategies for reducing arousal and initiating recovery are explored.
Critical illness in children is a significant and stressful life event for families. Within pedia... more Critical illness in children is a significant and stressful life event for families. Within pediatric emergency department (ED) settings it is acknowledged that these crises are challenging for both the families of these children, and for the clinical staff treating the child. Literature recommends routine care should include an offer to the family to be present with their critically ill child, however there is a lack of clarity regarding specific family care models or evidence-based interventions to guide clinical practice. Peer reviewed articles written in English, published between 2006 and 2016, proposing or testing psychosocial care models in pediatric (or mixed) emergency settings. Nine articles met inclusion criteria. Search results showed limited evidence available in the literature at this time. Thematic analysis of article content and proposed model showed strong support for the benefit of family presence, including shifting the family role from passive to active, needing ...
The disruption of disasters and the protracted recovery period following, can cause a variety of ... more The disruption of disasters and the protracted recovery period following, can cause a variety of problems in the longer term. The authors identify a number of problems from clinical work with bushfire-affected families, including deterioration in the general fabric of family life, disruption of children's developmental pathways, reactivation of past traumatic experiences, and changes in self-concept and identity. The community context of assistance is emphasised.
In a natural disaster situation the predominent experience is confusion. It occurs because disast... more In a natural disaster situation the predominent experience is confusion. It occurs because disastrous events, by their very nature, disrupt the expected familiar pattern of life. The physical environment is usually drastically altered; sometimes it is almost unrecognizable. Death, injury or the threat of them, introduce new and powerful experiences of danger. Evacuation and the influx of combatant and relief workers, replace ordered and familiar community life with a disoriented, emotional mass of people. In this, as in any situation of confusion, people fall back on what is familiar, to orient themselves. This means they may not immediately recognise what is new and unique to the disaster. They tend to focus on definite, tangible problems. The ovewhelming physical needs are quite rightly the first to be addressed. Many physical requirements have to be met in a matter of hours. When concentrating on providing necessary services, it is difficult to be understanding of the new persona...
This article first appreared in “The Macedon Digest”, Volume 1, No. 3, September 1986. Published ... more This article first appreared in “The Macedon Digest”, Volume 1, No. 3, September 1986. Published by the Australian Counter Disaster College, Mt. Macedon, Victoria.
The introductory chapter to a book on how people think together in groups, teams and the wider Wo... more The introductory chapter to a book on how people think together in groups, teams and the wider World. Book description follows: This book shows how to think together with others and to help others think together with you. The chapters are written from a rich store of knowledge, experience and understanding that illuminates the hidden complexities occurring whenever people meet to collaborate, plan, review, innovate, learn, teach, consult or facilitate. From their various professions and work areas, the authors delve beneath the surface of visible interactions to reveal the knowledge and wisdom that exists in intuitive and unconscious processes. The result is a profound and informative book that is engaging, accessible and readable, to inform everyday practice in groups, teams, committees, organizations and communities.
This file contains papers as follows:
Presentazione, di Silvia Corbella e Stefania Marinelli p.4 ... more This file contains papers as follows: Presentazione, di Silvia Corbella e Stefania Marinelli p.4 Editorial, by Martin Ringer 5 1. Nous and the Social fabric of the human mind: Towards a viable theory of collective thinking Rob Gordon, Martin Ringer 11 2. Are two heads better than one? 39 Robert D.Hinshelwood 3. Psychotic Processes in the Individual and the Effects of this in Group Situations Rosealeen Tamaki 55 4. The Language of the Group Skin: What gets under the skin, attacking the capacity of teams to think. What’s wrong with being open-minded? Richard Morgan-Jones 74 5. The role of ‘opinion blocks’ in thinking in groups and teams Martin Ringer 92 6. Attention as a basis for thinking in Groups Robert French, Peter Simpson 105 7. Action and thought in the Work group Mario Perini 123 Azione e pensiero nel gruppo di lavoro 135 8. Managing unsettled states: From entanglement to relating Barry Jones 150 9. Intersubjectivity between groups and research on the setting: an experience of concentric groups with varying therapeutic gradients in the experience of Basti-Menti APS Francesco Comelli 170 9. Intersoggettività fra gruppi e cure con la cultura: 197 campo intergruppale come funzione terapeutica Basti-Menti APS (Milano) 10. Silvia Corbella interview (1) by Simone Schirinzi 228 10. Intervista a Silvia Corbella 242 Author biographical outlines 256
Traumatic events such as the bombings in Bali may cause many people to develop post-traumatic str... more Traumatic events such as the bombings in Bali may cause many people to develop post-traumatic stress, traumatic grief, anxiety or depression. This article outlines the requirements of recovery, indications of its progress and the role of general practitioners in preventive care, support and referral. Research indicates that more than half of those involved in traumatic events can expect to recover without developing a disorder. However, even optimal recovery from tragedy is a protracted and arduous task that severely taxes physical, emotional and social health. The consequences of this may show as degraded health in the second year following a tragedy.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary edition of The Australian Journal of Emergency Management... more On the occasion of the 20th anniversary edition of The Australian Journal of Emergency Management a reprint of nine articles on human responses to natural disasters written by Ruth Wraith and Rob Gordon are presented. These articles focused on the myths of human response, short-term, medium and long-term responses to disaster workers' and community responses, and the principals for support and recovery for human services.
Emergencies create widespread social disruption, which easily translates into degraded quality of... more Emergencies create widespread social disruption, which easily translates into degraded quality of life and undermines the social fabric of the affected community. A clearer understanding of these social processes may assist in conceptualising important dimensions of the impact of disaster and point the way to developing strategies to manage the social environment during recovery. This paper reflects on community and clinical observations of people in various emergencies and offers an analysis of some effects of emergencies on social fabric and suggests recovery strategies.
realm. Durkheim says that organic solidarity rests on symbols and symbolic relationships, which e... more realm. Durkheim says that organic solidarity rests on symbols and symbolic relationships, which enable boundaries and varied systems of relationships to form. The only way this can occur is through the function of language, not just as a means of communication, but as a dimension in which social phenomena are represented and mapped, so they develop abstract relationships. The functioning of language creates verbal or word representations that Freud says are the elements leading to identifications of a more complex and structured sort. These can be called Oedipal Identifications since they allow for identification on the basis that the other has or expresses something the subject lacks, and this not only has a value in desire, but also a symbolic value. However, this only occurs as long as the incompleteness is tolerated and the commonality is accepted as symbolic rather than real. Thus, the division of labour can be taken as a metaphor for the differentiation that represents each in...
The importance of understanding the social processes and dynamics that transpire within a communi... more The importance of understanding the social processes and dynamics that transpire within a community when a disaster strikes is discussed. The vital role that the affected individuals' community can play in helping him/her recover and come out of the disaster is highlighted.
The Australian journal of emergency management, 2006
Research findings that emphasize constructive responses to emergencies are described, and a numbe... more Research findings that emphasize constructive responses to emergencies are described, and a number of common responses in the immediate aftermath of an event are identified. Some simple strategies for reducing arousal and initiating recovery are explored.
Critical illness in children is a significant and stressful life event for families. Within pedia... more Critical illness in children is a significant and stressful life event for families. Within pediatric emergency department (ED) settings it is acknowledged that these crises are challenging for both the families of these children, and for the clinical staff treating the child. Literature recommends routine care should include an offer to the family to be present with their critically ill child, however there is a lack of clarity regarding specific family care models or evidence-based interventions to guide clinical practice. Peer reviewed articles written in English, published between 2006 and 2016, proposing or testing psychosocial care models in pediatric (or mixed) emergency settings. Nine articles met inclusion criteria. Search results showed limited evidence available in the literature at this time. Thematic analysis of article content and proposed model showed strong support for the benefit of family presence, including shifting the family role from passive to active, needing ...
The disruption of disasters and the protracted recovery period following, can cause a variety of ... more The disruption of disasters and the protracted recovery period following, can cause a variety of problems in the longer term. The authors identify a number of problems from clinical work with bushfire-affected families, including deterioration in the general fabric of family life, disruption of children's developmental pathways, reactivation of past traumatic experiences, and changes in self-concept and identity. The community context of assistance is emphasised.
In a natural disaster situation the predominent experience is confusion. It occurs because disast... more In a natural disaster situation the predominent experience is confusion. It occurs because disastrous events, by their very nature, disrupt the expected familiar pattern of life. The physical environment is usually drastically altered; sometimes it is almost unrecognizable. Death, injury or the threat of them, introduce new and powerful experiences of danger. Evacuation and the influx of combatant and relief workers, replace ordered and familiar community life with a disoriented, emotional mass of people. In this, as in any situation of confusion, people fall back on what is familiar, to orient themselves. This means they may not immediately recognise what is new and unique to the disaster. They tend to focus on definite, tangible problems. The ovewhelming physical needs are quite rightly the first to be addressed. Many physical requirements have to be met in a matter of hours. When concentrating on providing necessary services, it is difficult to be understanding of the new persona...
This article first appreared in “The Macedon Digest”, Volume 1, No. 3, September 1986. Published ... more This article first appreared in “The Macedon Digest”, Volume 1, No. 3, September 1986. Published by the Australian Counter Disaster College, Mt. Macedon, Victoria.
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Books by Rob Gordon
This book shows how to think together with others and to help others think together with you. The chapters are written from a rich store of knowledge, experience and understanding that illuminates the hidden complexities occurring whenever people meet to collaborate, plan, review, innovate, learn, teach, consult or facilitate.
From their various professions and work areas, the authors delve beneath the surface of visible interactions to reveal the knowledge and wisdom that exists in intuitive and unconscious processes. The result is a profound and informative book that is engaging, accessible and readable, to inform everyday practice in groups, teams, committees, organizations and communities.
Presentazione, di Silvia Corbella e Stefania Marinelli p.4 Editorial, by Martin Ringer 5
1. Nous and the Social fabric of the human mind:
Towards a viable theory of collective thinking
Rob Gordon, Martin Ringer 11
2. Are two heads better than one? 39 Robert D.Hinshelwood
3. Psychotic Processes in the Individual
and the Effects of this in Group Situations
Rosealeen Tamaki 55
4. The Language of the Group Skin: What gets under the skin, attacking
the capacity of teams to think. What’s wrong with being open-minded?
Richard Morgan-Jones 74
5. The role of ‘opinion blocks’ in thinking
in groups and teams
Martin Ringer 92
6. Attention as a basis for thinking in Groups
Robert French, Peter Simpson 105
7. Action and thought in the Work group
Mario Perini 123 Azione e pensiero nel gruppo di lavoro 135
8. Managing unsettled states: From entanglement to relating
Barry Jones 150
9. Intersubjectivity between groups and research
on the setting: an experience of concentric groups with varying therapeutic
gradients in the experience of Basti-Menti APS
Francesco Comelli 170
9. Intersoggettività fra gruppi e cure con la cultura: 197 campo intergruppale come funzione terapeutica
Basti-Menti APS (Milano)
10. Silvia Corbella interview (1)
by Simone Schirinzi 228 10. Intervista a Silvia Corbella 242
Author biographical outlines 256
Papers by Rob Gordon
This book shows how to think together with others and to help others think together with you. The chapters are written from a rich store of knowledge, experience and understanding that illuminates the hidden complexities occurring whenever people meet to collaborate, plan, review, innovate, learn, teach, consult or facilitate.
From their various professions and work areas, the authors delve beneath the surface of visible interactions to reveal the knowledge and wisdom that exists in intuitive and unconscious processes. The result is a profound and informative book that is engaging, accessible and readable, to inform everyday practice in groups, teams, committees, organizations and communities.
Presentazione, di Silvia Corbella e Stefania Marinelli p.4 Editorial, by Martin Ringer 5
1. Nous and the Social fabric of the human mind:
Towards a viable theory of collective thinking
Rob Gordon, Martin Ringer 11
2. Are two heads better than one? 39 Robert D.Hinshelwood
3. Psychotic Processes in the Individual
and the Effects of this in Group Situations
Rosealeen Tamaki 55
4. The Language of the Group Skin: What gets under the skin, attacking
the capacity of teams to think. What’s wrong with being open-minded?
Richard Morgan-Jones 74
5. The role of ‘opinion blocks’ in thinking
in groups and teams
Martin Ringer 92
6. Attention as a basis for thinking in Groups
Robert French, Peter Simpson 105
7. Action and thought in the Work group
Mario Perini 123 Azione e pensiero nel gruppo di lavoro 135
8. Managing unsettled states: From entanglement to relating
Barry Jones 150
9. Intersubjectivity between groups and research
on the setting: an experience of concentric groups with varying therapeutic
gradients in the experience of Basti-Menti APS
Francesco Comelli 170
9. Intersoggettività fra gruppi e cure con la cultura: 197 campo intergruppale come funzione terapeutica
Basti-Menti APS (Milano)
10. Silvia Corbella interview (1)
by Simone Schirinzi 228 10. Intervista a Silvia Corbella 242
Author biographical outlines 256