Feb 2023
William Alanson White (1870-1937). Source: diretoriopsicologos.com
William Alanson White was an American psychiatrist who became superintendent of the “Government Hospital for the Insane”, later named St. Elizabeths Hospital, in Washington, D.C. He was known for humanizing the treatment of the mentally ill.
William Alanson White’s (1870-1937) influential position as superintendent of St. Elizabeths, the largest hospital in the United States between 1903 and 1937, had a significant impact on the practice of psychiatry and the solidification of the technique and language of the psychoanalytic method in the asylum setting.
The article The rise of psychoanalysis in US hospitals: William Alanson White at St. Elizabeths, 1903-1937, explores the work of White, who considered the new science of psychoanalysis important for healing both the individual as well as society.
The author Suzanne Nortier Hollman, Honorary senior research fellow at University College London and Assistant clinical professor at George Washington University explores White’s original work and maintains that his understanding of transference, the unconscious, symbolism, language, and defense mechanisms were rooted in both traditional intrapsychic and his orientation toward social psychiatry.
In line with Progressive Era ideals, White helped shape the evolution of psychoanalytic principles and informed the treatment of patients undergoing psychoanalysis at St. Elizabeths Hospital.
How to cite this article:
Hollman SN. The rise of psychoanalysis in US hospitals: William Alanson White at St. Elizabeths, 1903-1937. Hist cienc saude-Manguinhos [Internet]. 2022;29(Hist. cienc. saude-Manguinhos, 2022 29 suppl 1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-59702022000500005
This article is part of the special issue Transcultural histories of psychotherapies: new narratives (HCS-Manguinhos 29 suppl 1, 2022), coordinated by professors Sonu Shamdasani (Health Humanities Centre/University College London) and Cristiana Facchinetti (postgraduate Program in History of Sciences and Health/Casa de Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz).
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