Book excerpt: The members of the Betty Joseph Workshop have provided major contributions to psychoanalytic thinking since the meeting's inception in 1962. This book is a celebration of Betty Joseph's work, and the work of a group of analysts who have joined her to discuss obstacles to psychic change in psychoanalytic treatment. A prestigious line up of contributors present clinical material for discussion on a range of topics including: Supporting psychic change Complacency in analysis and everyday life Containment, enactment and communication. The history of psychoanalysis is one of an ongoing struggle to reach a new understanding of the human psyche and develop more effective methods of treatment. In Pursuit of Psychic Change reflects this tradition - discussions of each contribution by other members of the group provide an in-depth exploration of the merits and limitations of a developing analytic technique, in the hope of achieving true psychic change. All psychoanalysts will benefit from the insights provided into the original and stimulating work of the members of the Betty Joseph Workshop.