Abstract
The ‘family’, and the Oedipus complex in particular, is alive and kicking, not only as a means and/or metaphor for explaining family relationships and dynamics, but also as a diagnostic lens for consulting beyond the family, to individuals, groups and organisations and as a means of considering defences against anxiety and gender relations. This paper examines the emotional ‘fallout’ within two organisational case studies: (a) a group relations exercise for planning an event by clinical psychology trainees and (b) consulting to a group of social work managers whose responsibility is to protect vulnerable children. The paper juxtaposes observations from these case studies with classical Freudian analysis of group behaviours and Kleinian/post-Kleinian perspectives on defending against anxiety in organisations. It suggests a reiteration of the power of both Freudian and Kleinian perspectives on the primal scene as a problem-solving focus for organisational consultancy.
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