More than ten years have passed since David’s death and we miss him dearly.
What would he have made of these times? A world coming apart at the seams following more than 40 years of the neo-liberal consensus. A nominal Labour government assiduously prolonging the harmful ‘austerity’ policies of the previous Conservative government. The main schools of psychotherapy and counselling in the UK are more popular in health-policy circles than ever and as riddled with make-believe as they were in David’s time.
Now seems like a fruitful time to take stock of David’s influence in our own lives and work, and to invite younger psychologists, in the early phases of their careers, to share their thoughts on the meaning of his writings for their own practice in these turbulent times. In collaboration with the Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy we have put together a special edition. The nine papers are a tribute to David, and to the enduring importance of his legacy: not just for psychology, but for anyone who wants to understand life as it is, and to live with a measure of courage and hope.
Midlands Psychology Group 