On Winnicott's concept of trauma.

Winnicott's clinical-theoretical matrix constitutes a distinction in underlying basic principles from both the Freudian and Kleinian models. In essence, Winnicott's concept of trauma is entirely related to the vicissitudes of the early psychic parent-infant relationship in which the mother's role is fundamental for the development of the newborn's psyche at the beginning and subsequently. While Winnicott acknowledges the difference between physical and psychic trauma, his focus is on how the interpsychic relationship, psyche to nascent psyche, contributes to the infant's intrapsychic world.

Commentary on 'The arms of the chimeras' by Béatrice Ithier.

In this Commentary I will first of all summarise my understanding of the proposal set out by Béatrice Ithier concerning her concept of the 'chimera'. The main part of my essay will focus on Ithier's claim that her concept of the chimera could be described as a 'mental squiggle' because it corresponds to Winnicott's work illustrated in his book 'Therapeutic Consultations' (1971). At the core of Ithier's chimera is the notion of a traumatic link between analyst and patient, which is the reason she enlists the work of Winnicott.

Donald Woods Winnicott (1896-1971): a brief introduction.

This essay offers a guide to the trajectory of Winnicott's theories from 1919 to 1971. Part one surveys the archives, publications, and the collected works project. Part two is divided into four sections to illustrate one foundation phase followed by three major theoretical phases.