The Philadelphia Association is a UK charity concerned with the understanding and relief of mental suffering. It was founded in 1965 by the radical psychiatrist and psychoanalyst

R. D. Laing Ronald David Laing (7 October 1927 – 23 August 1989), usually cited as R. D. Laing, was a Scottish psychiatrist who wrote extensively on mental illnessin particular, the experience of psychosis. Laing's views on the causes and treatment o ...

along with fellow psychiatrists David Cooper,

Joseph Berke Joseph H. Berke, M.D., (January 17, 1939 – January 11, 2021) was an American–born psychotherapist, author and lecturer. He studied at Columbia College of Columbia University and graduated from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Ne ...

Aaron Esterson Aaron Esterson (23 September 1923 –15 April 1999) was a British psychiatrist, practising in Glasgow. He was one of the founders of the Philadelphia Association along with R. D. Laing. Born in Glasgow in 1923, Esterson served in the Royal Nav ...

, writer

Clancy Sigal Clancy Sigal (September 6, 1926 – July 16, 2017) was an American writer, and the author of dozens of essays and seven books, the best-known of which is the autobiographical novel ''Going Away'' (1961). Early life and education Sigal was born ...

as well as John Heaton, Joan Cunnold and Sid Briskin.

Kingsley Hall Kingsley Hall is a community centre, in Powis Road, Bromley-by-Bow in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, East End of London. It dates back to the work of Doris and Muriel Lester, who had a nursery school in nearby Bruce Road. Their brother, ...

, the first of a number of community houses, was founded in 1965 (a building dating from 1928). The Philadelphia Association (PA) came into being to challenge and to widen the discourse around the teaching and practise of

psychotherapy Psychotherapy (also psychological therapy, talk therapy, or talking therapy) is the use of psychological methods, particularly when based on regular personal interaction, to help a person change behavior, increase happiness, and overcome pro ...

and continues to offer a training, an affordable therapy service and two community houses for those seeking retreat.

References

External links

Philadelphia Association website
Anti-psychiatry 1965 establishments in the United Kingdom Organizations established in 1965 Health charities in the United Kingdom Mental health organisations in the United Kingdom {{psychiatry-stub