Appreciating ‘Le Non/Nom’

Abstract

Among Lacan’s fundamental developmental concepts is the dynamic of ‘le non/nom’. Lacan held that the paternal ‘non’ functions to separate the baby from the symbiotic and preverbal maternal relationship. Hence, ‘le non’ inaugurates ‘le nom’, naming, i.e., language usage, and energizes the infantile Oedipus complex. Likewise, in the development of new group, and as an element of any self-reflecting group, the leader serves as the ‘third,’ using and encouraging the use of language to move process from its underlying basic assumptiveness to verbally symbolized and articulated emotional experience. As illustrated in a two-day group process workshop, a therapeutic strategy of ‘le non/nom’—structuring, limit-setting, refusing, inviting, and embracing was effective to the extent to which verbal communication could be tolerated, trusted, and appreciated.