Interview with RD Hinshelwood

Purpose A one-day conference organised by the University of Essex and Consortium Therapeutic Communities, 10 December, 2021 with theme, “The Unconscious Organisations”. Presentations discussions throughout had aim generating ideas sharing knowledge about unconscious how this can inform practitioners working in therapeutic communities other organisations meeting challenge emotional distress. Design/methodology/approach Interview Professor Robert (Bob) Hinshelwood (RH), now 83 years old, who has been involved (TCs) since 1969, part initial founding Association Communities 1974, is presented. He qualified as a psychoanalyst 1976. In 1980 he instigated International Journal along Nick Manning, David Kennard, Jeff Roberts Barry Shenkar. 1984 founded British Psychotherapy , edited it for years. was Director Cassel Hospital 1993–1997. 1999 journal Psychoanalysis History . Free Associations Group (founded Bob Young others) which ran Mike Rustin East London, “Psychoanalysis Public Sphere” conferences 1990s. written great deal dynamics organisational cultures complex settings. Fellow Psychoanalytical Society, Royal College Psychiatrists Emeritus Essex. The interviewer conducted Dr Gary Winship (GW) an associate professor at Nottingham where leads MA Trauma Informed Practice, visiting Moscow Institute Psychoanalysis, also Russian State Humanities University, editor Findings reflects on question impact destructive tendencies process. shares his personal experience being young evacuee during Second World War considers trauma, losing religion subsequent career choices medicine, psychiatry psychoanalysis. discusses supervision Isabel Menzies Lyth different groups Psychoanalysis. turns to tribalism TCs regrets that there not more bridge building collaboration. talks own prolific writing publishing describes obsessional rather than passionate, finally candidly prospect facing death. Originality/value interview transcribed.