Winnicott and Religion

This is the first in-depth exploration of the role of religion in the life and work of D. W. Winnicott. It uses previously unpublished materials from the Winnicott archives in London and New York to help trace the trajectory of Winnicott’s religious development over his lifespan. It also is the first book to explore the developmental sources for Winnicott’s own images and concepts of God.

This book will benefit those who have followed the growing interest in the relationship between religion and psychology, especially psychoanalytic psychology. It offers a unique blend of biography and narrative to complement the more traditional logical arguments regarding the interaction between religion and psychology.

This book also will be of interest to those who know of Winnicott’s contribution to the positive rethinking of the relationship between religion and psychology and who wish to learn more about the reciprocal impact of religion and psychology in the life and work of this influential explorer of these themes. The book traces the influence of Winnicott’s religious upbringing on his psychological theory as well as the impact of his work as a psychoanalyst on his religious development.