Chapter 7 Work in Progress: Using the Two-Step Method

We assemble in a small group of around ten to fifteen people. We have come from many different European countries, and sometimes from outside of Europe - a heterogeneous group of people who mainly have never met before. We are going to be working intensively together for about twelve and a half hours. It is a group experience within the context of a research project.

We start with introductions. Some have been in these groups before and others are starting afresh, not knowing what to expect. Perhaps their friends and colleagues have told them it is a worthwhile experience. This is how it all starts in what we would come to call ‘Step-2’ (minus two), which is the preparation before the ‘Step-1’ (minus one) meeting, the presentation of the case history, and ‘Step 0’ (zero), the free clinical discussion.

Everything that precedes the meeting - its history - is relevant. We are psychoanalysts, after all. There are the parents and the grandparents, those present at the inception of the ideas; the EPF, David Tuckett, the selection of the presenters, the formation of the group, the participants who got in and those who were too late to register, those who have been before and the newcomers. It is an unusual

situation when psychoanalysts who have not met before come together for two days from different European countries for a very detailed and focused clinical and theoretical discussion.

A group identity begins to form in the exchange of emails and information between David Tuckett and the participants. To this, we can add the fantasies based on rumours about past experiences, and the anticipation of the current one. The meeting starts with each participant briefly introducing him or herself and this gives shape to more structured fantasies, based on supposed models relative to the nationality or reputation of a participating colleague.

A group identity settles into place even before we begin the appointed task, with the impact of the conference room and the