Freud’s Afternoon Session – Midlife

“Throughout my therapeutic career most of my clients have been between the age of 35 and 55 and arrive in the state of anxiety, overwhelmed by some intractable problem. We have come to call this the midlife crisis.” – Andrew Jamieson

Andrew Jamieson identifies that only two species of mammal have an extensive, post-reproductive life: killer whales – whose elders can sniff out food for their pods – and Homo sapiens. While the rationale behind the whale’s longevity seems clear, what is the point of ours? This question intrigued Carl Jung who observed that if a culture is to thrive, it must find a balance between the energy of the young and the experience of the old. But to obtain this equilibrium, we need to pass through the dreaded middle years. Examining the Jungian concept of the midlife crisis, and the lives of prominent figures who endured it (including Abraham Lincoln and Marie Curie), psychoanalyst Andrew Jamieson shows in his book how there is an evolutionary purpose behind this rite of passage which ­­– once traversed – holds the key to our prosperity.

The Freud Museum welcomes Andrew Jamieson for this Afternoon Session, in which Andrew will deliver a short presentation on his book, followed by a conversation with Dr Martin Gledhill.

Speaker:

Andrew Jamieson is a psychotherapist based in Bath whose interests include psychotherapy’s interconnection with philosophy, music and literature. He is the author of Midlife: Humanity’s Secret Weapon and On the Couch: 20 extraordinary personalities from Picasso to Putin (both published by Notting Hill Editions). Parallel to his psychotherapeutic career, Jamieson has promoted orchestral concerts throughout the UK for over forty years.

Dr Martin Gledhill was a senior lecturer in the Bath University Architectural Department. He has always been fascinating by psychology and completed a PhD on the interface between architecture and psychology. Recently he has published a well received book on Jung’s Bollingen Tower and is currently working on a second book to be published by Routledge exploring further the overlap between psychology and architecture. He is the Chairman of the Trustees at the Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling.

After a serendipitous first meeting following a lecture, he has known Andrew Jamieson for a number of years. During enjoyably long walks in the Wiltshire and Somerset countryside they have discussed the many aspects of psychoanalysis and how it might aid our interpretation of an increasingly troubled world as much as ourselves.

Complement your visit to the Freud Museum with one of our tours or talks led by staff, volunteers and guest speakers.

Afternoon Sessions are free with your admission ticket, you can book your admission ticket now! Please note that we have limited capacity so advanced booking is recommended to avoid missing out.

The event will be held on the first floor of the Museum during regular opening hours. Unfortunately, the Freud Museum does not currently have step-free access. Advance booking is highly recommended, as capacity is limited.

Concessions/Members/Patrons: Please show proof of eligibility/membership card on arrival.