Binswanger: ‘Father of Existential Psychiatry’. Inner Circle Seminar 98 (26 February 2006)

Ludwig Binswanger

Ludwig Binswanger

The ‘Father of Existential Psychiatry’

Anthony Stadlen
conducts
Inner Circle Seminar No. 98
Sunday 26 February 2006
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ludwig Binswanger (13 April 1881 – 5 February 1966) died 40 years ago this month. He is called the ‘father of existential psychiatry’, but like other psychiatrists he imprisoned his patients (including Nijinsky) in his ‘sanatorium’. He was a severe critic of Freud, but remained a firm friend. He supplemented Heidegger’s ‘care’ with Buber’s ‘I–Thou’ to do justice to love, but Heidegger said Binswanger had misunderstood him. His dream theory influenced Foucault, and through him the music of Jean Barraqué. Binswanger’s case studies are revered by many, but Laing and Rogers deplored his case of ‘Ellen West’. This seminar discusses what is valuable for existential psychotherapists and others in Binswanger’s work.

Venue: Room F, Acland Building, Regent’s College, Inner Circle, London NW1 4NS
Subscription: Students £72, others £90, in advance; some bursaries

Apply to: Anthony Stadlen, ‘Oakleigh’, 2A Alexandra Avenue, London N22 7XE
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8888 6857 E-mail: stadlen@aol.com