Readings of Winnicott

This article, part of a larger project examining the significance of Donald W. Winnicott's contributions to research, teaching, and clinical care across psychology, religion, and theology, is written with this broad question in mind: What are Winnicott's writings about? I draw from a study I carried out that concludes that Winnicott's writings can be understood in terms of two "readings" (Ricoeur 1970)-expressing (a) a developmental-existential point of view and (b) a notion of being religious-of a network of six "theoretical ideas" (Stausberg 2009): early experience in infancy, transition, connecting and disconnecting, creative space, holding (and being held) and holding onto, and facilitating. This article outlines the contours of these two readings of the fifth set of theoretical ideas-holding (and being held) and holding onto-and spells out some implications.