Tavistock Group Relations

Presented and Facilitated by Raymond J. Lawrence

The 34th Plenary, March 17-20, 2024

The Tavistock approach to interpersonal group work originated with Wilfred Bion (1897-1979), a highly esteemed British psychiatrist. His theory and practice was informed by Freudian theory. Tavistock theory and practice was imported into the U. S. by A.K. Rice, a Brit, and Margaret Rioch, an American psychotherapist.

Tavistock theory instructs the consulate(s) to function as non-participants who attempt to interpret, as they are able, the covert and/or unconscious processes making their appearance in the words and actions of members of the group, referred to as the “work group.”

A grasp of Tavistock process is an expectation of every CPSP certified person. A Tavistock event has been included in the program of virtually every CPSP Plenary meeting for thirty four years, exceptions only in those Plenary Meetings affected by the corona virus. Zoom meetings are considered not conducive to a Tavistock approach.