Neuropsychoanalysis 20 years later: An interview with Oliver Turnbull

Oliver Turnbull is a neuropsychologist and Professor of Psychology at Bangor University, Wales, UK. From 2002 to 2012 he was editor of the journal Neuropsychoanalysis, and in 2002 – with Mark Solms – he co-authored the book The Brain and the Inner World. He has published roughly 180 articles and chapters on themes related to emotion, emotion regulation, delusional beliefs, and the neuroscience of psychotherapy. Oliver has been an active member of the neuropsychoanalytic movement from its inception, witnessing its birth in South Africa in the 1980s, where he was Mark Solms’ first student. He has also observed the later development of neuropsychoanalysis, in larger communities in New York, London, and across the globe. This interview was held in April 2019, in the city of Santiago (Chile). As our community is preparing to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Congress of the International Neuropsychoanalysis Society, it seemed like a wonderful time to talk about the history of neuropsychoanalysis. Notably, Oliver has attended every one of the 20 Congresses. The interview has been lightly edited for publication.