Coralie Trotter
Honouring the Legacy of Coralie Trotter
GRASP exists because of the vision of Coralie Trotter.
A Clinical Psychologist, Psychoanalyst, teacher and mentor, Coralie believed that psychoanalytic thinking should be nurtured through curiosity, generosity and sustained conversation.
In 1999, she founded GRASP to create an independent community where clinicians could continue reading, thinking and learning together beyond the boundaries of formal institutions.
More than two decades later, that vision continues to shape every reading group, every conversation and every member who becomes part of the GRASP community.
A Life Dedicated to Psychoanalytic Thinking
Coralie Trotter devoted her professional life to the thoughtful exploration of the human mind.
Originally trained in Dramatic Art before qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist and later as a Psychoanalyst, she brought together intellectual rigour, creativity and deep humanity in her work. Throughout her career, she worked in private practice, supervised clinical psychology students, taught psychoanalytic theory and mentored generations of clinicians across South Africa.
Those who worked alongside Coralie remember not only her knowledge, but the way she encouraged others to think. She believed psychoanalysis was not simply a body of knowledge to be mastered, but a way of approaching people, relationships and the complexity of human experience with openness and curiosity.
This philosophy became the foundation upon which GRASP was built.
The Vision That Became GRASP
When Coralie founded GRASP in 1999, she recognised that many clinicians wanted an ongoing place to engage seriously with psychoanalytic theory outside the structure of universities and formal training institutes.
Her answer was deceptively simple.
Create small reading groups.
Read the original texts.
Return every month.
Stay with the same group over time.
Allow ideas and people to grow together.
This approach became known within the community as "Reading Groups Without Superego."
There would be no hierarchy, no competition, and no pressure to perform. Instead, learning would emerge through thoughtful reading, honest discussion, and the pleasure of intellectual discovery.
More than twenty-six years later, those principles remain unchanged.
Psychoanalysis in Service of Society
Coralie believed that psychoanalytic thinking belonged not only within the consulting room, but also in the wider world.
Following the Life Esidimeni tragedy in 2017, she led a multidisciplinary team of clinicians who worked with families affected by one of South Africa's most devastating mental health disasters.
Their consultations culminated in what became known as the "Brick Mother Report."
This expert psychoanalytic contribution helped articulate the emotional consequences of the tragedy and informed the landmark arbitration proceedings that followed.
The work received international recognition from the International Psychoanalytical Association and demonstrated how psychoanalytic understanding can contribute meaningfully to questions of justice, dignity and public life.
For GRASP, this work continues to stand as a reminder that psychoanalytic thinking is not only something we study—it is something we bring into the world.
Continuing the Conversation
with the Coralie Trotter Memorial Lecture
Each lecture forms part of an ongoing tradition of bringing internationally respected psychoanalytic voices into conversation with the South African clinical community.
The Coralie Trotter Memorial Lecture honours Coralie's enduring contribution to psychoanalysis and to the community she created.
Held annually, the lecture brings leading psychoanalytic thinkers from around the world into conversation with South African clinicians, continuing the spirit of intellectual generosity and curiosity that defined Coralie's work.
More than a memorial, the lecture reflects the belief that psychoanalysis remains a living discipline—one that grows through dialogue, critical thinking and the ongoing exchange of ideas.
Continue the Conversation
Whether you're taking your first steps into psychoanalytic thinking or have spent years in clinical practice...
GRASP offers a place to continue learning alongside colleagues who value thoughtful discussion, intellectual curiosity and the slow development of clinical understanding.
If you'd like to explore joining a reading group, attending a workshop or simply learning more about the community, we'd be delighted to hear from you.
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Michael Benn is a Clinical Psychologist and IPA-registered Psychoanalyst in private practice in Johannesburg. He is the Chair and Convener of GRASP and the founder of the Psychoanalytic Thinking digital community.
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