Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Theory and Practice with Self-Harm and Suicide
A series of three hybrid seminars with William Crouch.

Dates: Tuesdays 29th September, 6th and 13th October at 8:15pm - 9:45pm GMT.

Location: Online & The Institute of Psychoanalysis London, W9 2BT

Organiser: Institute of Psychoanalysis – IOPA / British Psychoanalytical Society (incorporating the Institute of Psychoanalysis)

Worldwide over 720000 people die by suicide every year, which is more than one every minute (WHO, 2025). This is therefore a serious health and social problem, requiring skilled and effective intervention.

From a psychoanalytic perspective suicide must be understood as relational, emotional and having a powerful impact on others. Hale (2026) observes that suicide always takes place in the context of a relationship, where suffering is experienced by its survivors. Psychoanalysis would consider that such relationships include the person’s relationship with their own body as well internal “objects” and external figures in their life, including professionals.

These seminars are an opportunity to learn more about psychoanalytic thinking about suicide and self-harm and its application to modern clinical practice, not just in formal psychoanalysis or psychotherapy, but also in the more general settings of psychiatry, nursing, social work and within the voluntary sector.

The structure of each of the seminars will be the same: participants will read a paper in advance, and the reading will provide the starting point for a brief presentation and clinical discussion. Participants will be encouraged to bring situations and dilemmas from their own work. Clearly any case material will have to be highly anonymised.

Although the seminars will be aimed at clinicians and practitioners working with those at risk of suicide and self-harm, they are open to all clinicians working within psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and mental health; if you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact events@iopa.org.uk.

View full series programme here

This series will be recorded and available to participants for 1 week after each seminar.

William Crouch was a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist in the NHS. He is a fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society and now works in private practice. He has published several papers on the understanding of and work with self-harm and suicide. With Stephen Briggs and Alessandra Lemma he is editor of “Relating to Self- Harm and Suicide", which is now in its second edition.