A dog called Chaos: What’s the use of in-house psychodynamic consultation to think about the unhoused mind? (Day, 2024)

Day Jonathan.

Psychodynamic Practice: Individuals, Groups and Organisations 2024;30(1): 7-18.

The article aims to apply psychodynamic thinking in the context of psychological consultation to hostel staff, who were offering support to people experiencing homelessness in a residential hostel setting. The article focusses on how Rey’s claustro-agora-phobic dilemma was used to help staff to think about one resident and their dog, whose escalation in behaviour threatened the safety of everyone in the hostel. The article concludes with a reflection on the challenges and opportunities of offering psychological consultation in this sector, with some recommendations for commissioners and staff. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved)