Lacan. ( Beginners Guide

Jacques Lacan was one of the most important psychoanalysts ever to have lived. Building upon the work of Sigmund Freud, he sought to refine Freudian insights with the use of linguistics, arguing that "the structure of unconscious is like a language". Controversial throughout his lifetime both for adopting mathematical concepts in his psychoanalytic framework and for advocating therapy sessions of varying length, he is widely misunderstood and often unfairly dismissed as impenetrable.

In this clear, wide-ranging primer, Lionel Bailly demonstrates how Lacan's ideas are still vitally relevant to contemporary issues of mental health treatment. Defending Lacan from his numerous detractors, past and present, Bailly guides the reader through Lacan's canon, from "l'objet petit a" to "The Mirror Stage" and beyond. Including coverage of developments in Lacanian psychoanalysis since his death, this is the perfect introduction to the great modern theorist.

Lionel Bailly is Honorary Senior Lecturer in Psychoanalysis at UCL and Consultant Psychiatrist, North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

"Well-written, carefully structured and broadly accessible. The author offers lucid explanations of key Lacanian concepts, without over-simplifying or having recourse to 'Lacan-light'." Dany Nobus - Chair of Psychology and Psychoanalysis, Brunel University and author of Jaques Lacan and the Freudian Practice of Psychoanalysis

"Simply the clearest explanation of Lacan anywhere. The author succeeds where almost everyone else has failed. Highly readable and entertaining." Peter Fonagy - Freud Memorial Professor of Psychoanalysis, UCL and Chief Executive at the Anna Freud Centre, London