Women in group analysis. Group analytic training with Ilse Seglow: Experiences of the first training group of the Institute of Group Analysis, Heidelberg/Germany

More than 40 years ago, the first training group of the Institute of Group Analysis Heidelberg started their training with Ilse Seglow in London. However, the beginning of the training was overshadowed by a conflict, since the group did not know that the training should take place entirely in London. This paper tries to explore this conflict in the light of unconscious dynamics underlying the foundation of the institute. Ilse Seglow, a German exiled Jew and ex-communist, was the ‘spiritus rector’ of the institute and the facilitator of the first training group. Group processes are described, showing how the group as well as Ilse dealt with this situation, commemorating one of the charismatic, controversial and politically inspired, but mostly forgotten personalities of the group analytic community.