Book Description
In this new edition of an invaluable introduction and reference book to the world of psychotherapy, material has been completely revised to take account of recent developments and to include some of the `newer' therapies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Psychotherapy for the layman
For those who are new to the subject of Psychotherapy, this is an excellent introduction book which is surprisingly easy to read and comprehensible for the layman. ... Read more

Book Description
In each of the twenty-three stories, we are afforded a glimpse of the two actors in the drama as they meet and size up one another, negotiate and renegotiate their agreement to collaborate, work through and play through the shifting positive and negative transferences and countertransferences toward a working relationship, experience both frustrations and triumphs as they persevere in attempts to promote healing and growth. These are exciting narratives, documenting the ethic that underlies the psychoanalytic vision and the animation that it affords both participants. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (9)

Extremely informative
I have found the manual very detailed and informative. A very useful resource to add to my reference library.

Very good complement for DSM
If you're anything like me (by like "me" I mean you're not necessarily fond of the DSMs) chances are you'd like this alternate classification.All of the heavyweight psychoanalysis organizations joined together to produce a diagnostic manual that takes into account the subjective experience of the patient, beyond the description of a general diagnosis.The reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I'd like it to have important information on transference and countertransference.Being created by the psychoanalytic organizations you'd expect it to include some notes on the Transference/Countertransferece experience in general for each pathology.But the truth is that this manual is actually useful even for therapists outside the psychoanalytic field, so the transferences/countertransference would have probably narrowed the group of psychotherapists it can reach being written the way it is.

PDMPsychodynamic Diagnostic Manuel
This is a long over due alternative to the DSMlV-R.The joint effort of six of the countries dynamically oriented professional organizations have led to a fully referenced and well thought out manual using a psychodynamic/psychoanalytical oreintation to understanding the patient.
Using a three axis model including Personality Patterns and Disorders,Mental Functioning axis and Subjective Experience to help the clinician organize the elements of the dynamic presentation of the patientEach axis has usefull subsets and using them the clinician can deveolpe a dynamic picture of the whole patient.This is a wonderful tool and teaching device.Kit Erskine M.S.Ed., M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W.

Psychology grasping the diagnostic nettle
This is a bold and accomplished attempt by the psychoanalytic collaborative to produce a diagnostic manual that respects the phenomenological astuteness of the DSM-IV-TR, whilst asssertively departing from it and offering a personality centred nosology for categorising psychological difficulties.

The PDM corrects what has long been the bain of psychologists and psychotherapists, namely, the DSM's prioritising of discreet Axis I disorders over an understanding of how these form a part of a person's overall orientation to self, others and the world.The PDM recognises the personality, both healthy and disordered, (the P Axis) as the basis for understanding psychological problems.It further offers the M Axis, that begins to provide measurable psychodynamic criteria for mental functioning that cuts across personality style.This axis introduces a way of thinking about the developmental (maturational) aspects of our psychology as pivotal to an understanding of psychological disorders.Finally, the PDM in its 3rd S Axis, outlines the Subjective Experience that characterises the typical DSM Axis I-like difficulties.Here the PDM explores affective, cognitive, somatic, and relationship patterns associated with psychological difficulties in a manner evocative of a CBT formulation.In fact, I hope that in future editions, more of the fine cross-sectional formulations that CBT is famous for will find its way into this manual.

Being versed in psychodynamic theory is not a pre-requisite for the use of this manual, although it could help.The PDM has attempted to move beyond and integrate and systematise the divergent streams of knowledge that make up psychodynamic theory today.In addition it has employed understanding from the cognitive and neuropsychological traditions to provide a more descriptive view of the person-in-suffering than the compartmentalised DSM could.That said, the PDM does not attempt to replace the DSM, but functions as a complimentary adjunct, by providing the DSM equivalents of its own categories.

One of the strengths of this manual is that it is full of rich case illustrations.Half the book is also dedicated to the research base for the nosology that opens up and attempts to engage with the fissures in diagnostic thinking that are usually whitewashed in everyday practice.

The true test of the PDM will reside in its application, to find its way into psychological reports and formulations, and for its editorial team to continue its integrative psychological spirit that may stretch beyond specifically psychoanalytically/dynamically derived knowledge.I urge you to take this one on for size.Diagnostic systems are here to stay, we ignore them at our peril, and the PDM is a courageous first attempt to tame the diagnositc beast with the tempering of meaning and astute psychological science.

great system, finally articulatable
Finally we have a psychoanalytic diagnostic system visually and conceptually reachable to the mental health practitioners, whose field has been dominated by the DSMs. ... Read more

Book Description
In this volume, a well-known psychoanalyst, dance therapist, and educational consultant chronicles her clinical work with deeply troubled children who fall between the cracks of our diagnostic and educational systems. These children, who frequently turn out to have been sexually or punitively abused, have no real emotional home despite the fact that they live in materially comfortable circumstances. In spite of their apparent brightness and precocity, they do not thrive in the classroom, where their disruptive behavior, tendency to act out, and fragmented learning bring them to the attention of teachers, counselors, and school psychologists. Standard diagnoses do not explain their plight; such children are neither retarded nor learning disabled nor neurotic.

Through poignant case studies, Siegel reviews the developmental circumstances that bring these middle-class waifs to a critical impasse with both their parents and the educational establishment. Time and again she discovers that the children's expectable developmental course has been derailed by their accommodation to parental abuse and deformed parental expectations. Psychodynamic treatment invariably uncovers the maladaptive solutions that fueled the children's behavioral and learning disturbances.

This volume speaks to a broad clinical and non-clinical readership: psychoanalytic clinicians; psychologists; counselors; social workers; art, dance, and music therapists; special education teachers; child therapists; and child care workers. They will all join in admiration of Siegel's treatment approach which focuses on what is healthy in deeply traumatized children and, in so doing, helps debunk the myth of the untreatable child. ... Read more

Book Description
This authoritative source book on the learning and creative application of the systems psychodynamic perspectives defines the field, presenting the key concepts, models, and social methodologies that derive from it, together with their theoretical and conceptual underpinnings in psychoanalysis, group relations, and opensystems therapy. ... Read more

Book Description
Despite the popularity of object relations theories, these theories are often abstract, with the relation between theory and clinical technique left vague and unclear.Now, in Transcending the Self: An Object Relations Model of Psychoanalytic Therapy,Summers answers the need for an integrative object relations model that can be understood and applied by the clinician in the daily conduct of psychoanalytic therapy.

Drawing on recent infancy research, developmental psychology, and the works of major theorists, including Bollas, Benjamin, Fairbairn, Guntrip, Kohut, and Winnicott, Summers melds diverse object-relational contributions into a coherent viewpoint with broad clinical applications.The object relations model emerges as a distinct amalgam of interpersonal/relationaland interpretive perspectives.It is a model that can help patients undertake the most gratifying and treacherous of personality journeys:that aiming at the transcendence of the childhood self.Self-transcendence, in Summers' sense, means moving beyond the profound limitations of early life via the therapeutically mediated creation of a newly meaningful and authentic sense of self.

Following two chapters that present the empirical and theoretical basis of the model, he launches into clinical applications by presenting the concept of therapeutic action that derives from the model.Then, in three successive chapters, he applies the model to patients traditionally conceptualized as borderline, narcissistic, and neurotic.He concludes with a chapter that addresses more broadly the craft of conducting psychoanalytic therapy.

Filled with richly detailed case discussions, Transcending the Self provides practicing clinicians with a powerful demonstration of how psychoanalytic therapy informed by an object relations model can effect radical personality change.It is an outstanding example o ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Subtle distinctions, clearly defined
This exceedingly readable book outlines the author's view of the application of object relations theory to clinical practice. There are many books that present discussion of object relations; Dr. Summers book presents a viewpoint that arises from, but is not limited by, the views of earlier theorists. Specifically, other analysts view the needs of the self as necessarily opposed to the "needs that draw toward others." Dr. Summers asserts that these two sets of needs can be "mutually necessary and enhancing," an optimistic and ultimately constructive view of the human mind. This view recognizes human development as a process of learning that conflict between one's own needs and those of the significant people in one's life is not necessary, rather than seeing conflict as inevitable. Carried far enough, it has implications for peace between peoples...

BRILLIANT WRITING FROM A BEAUTIFUL MAN
Absolutely NO amount of writing can describe the extent of professionalism and dead-on accuracy Summers possesses in his marvelous work of groundbreaking pshycological analysis.A++++++++.

Excellent book for practicing clinicians
This is a great book for practicing therapists interested in curent psychoanalytic theory.It is well written, clear, readable and includes numerous case examples to illustrate key points.The focus is on clarifying the differences between ego psychology, self psychology, and relational theories and proposing a neo-Winnicottian model that attempts to integrate and build on the best aspects of these.As a practicing psychologist in private practice (who is fairly well read in psychoanalytic theory) I found the book helpful both in terms of its comparisons of other models and its original contributions, especially the concepts of the buried authentic self, of the analyst's vision of what the patient can become, and the idea that focusing on these can help narcissistic patients tolerate defense interpretations with less injury.The descriptions of work with more severely disturbed, difficult or fragile patients were also particularly impressive and useful.I occasionally disagreed with some of the author's characterizations of the other models he compares, especially self psychology, but found this a minor factor in light of the strengths of the book.Overall it has helped me in my work with patients.

Summers does it again!
In a tiresome rehash of most of the ideas of his previous book, Summers tries to present his version of psychoanalytic psychotherapy from an object relations perspective.Unfortunately, he misses the mark on several counts.First, there is very little original thinking in this text.As with his prior book, what we get is a synthetic rehash of other's ideas.Nothing new is added that is creative, incisive or evocative.Second, he fails entirely to cover any of the empirical literature on psychodynamic psychotherapy, which is more critical and skeptical, and ultimately helpful.He fails to cover Hans Strupp's work, he completely passes over the work of the Mt. Zion group on process research (e.g. Sampson , et al) and he fails in general as a clinical psychologist to advance the notion that close research into the process/outcome dimensions of psychodynamic psychotherapy is needed.Otherwise, what you will continue to get are more books like Summers', where the author simply regurgitates old theorist's ideas, or speaks from their own slanted clinical experience, then generalizes to all patients and psychopathology!(Although in Summer's defense, Freud did the same, but this was 100 years ago without the benefit of the research, history, and tools that Summers would have available.Of course, Freud also had an infinitely richer grasp of history, culture, etc., which would make his generalizations more compelling). ... Read more

Book Description
A clinician's Rosetta Stone for understanding and treating presenting problems

"I highly recommend this book to therapists of all persuasions."--Allan N. Schore, department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine

In this important book, noted author, teacher, and psychologist Althea J. Horner shows how to reveal, understand, and use the powerful core relationship problem -- which is formed from earliest childhood and creates an image of the self in relation to others -- so it can act as a Rosetta stone for understanding the underlying conflict that repeatedly plays out in a client's behavior. Once this essential element is uncovered, clinicians learn how to work with their clients to successfully resolve common presenting problems. ... Read more

Book Description

". . . a wonderfully readable overview of the developmental principles underlying psychodynamic counseling."--Jan Grant, Ph.D., senior lecturer, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia

Book Description
The Ego and Analysis of Defense, by Paul Gray, without a doubt represents a major advance in analytic technique. How therapists listen and what they do with what they hear must be the primary issues that any technical approach addresses. Paul Gray shows how technique has, until now, lagged far behind theory in addressing these and other important questions. This book is essential reading for every practicing clinician. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent theory and practice of psychoanalytic therapy
This collection of 25 years of writings describes Gray's approach to "close following" of the immediate present in "essential psychoanalysis" and intensive psychoanalytic psychotherapy.Hismethod is difficult but the results are compelling.All therapists shouldread this.People who consult therapists might also be interested inmatching their therapies with Gray's admittedly difficult standard. ... Read more

Book Description
This book gives us the broad sweep of a remarkable psychoanalytic writer, Harry Guntrip, whose place is at the forefront of our efforts to explain the role of an emergent and resilient self in the organization and maintenance of human relations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Melting the Darkness Speaks to Professionals and Patients
Melting the Darkness is a book intended for professionals, but it speaksto patients, too.It was recommended to me by my own analyst after myongoing questions about how the "dyad" works.The"dyad," for other non professionals considering this book, is therelationship between the analyst and patient.The dyad is now seen as akey (perhaps THE key) instrument of healing a psyche.I was astonished tosee my own feelings spelled out in this book, feelings understood byanalysts in general.Those of us in analysis tend to feel as though we arealone, but we're not.It is difficult to remember that our analyststhemselves have been through analysis.They DO know what it means to feelvulnerable.

Here are a couple of lines that struck me:

"The veryexperience of being viewed by the analyst may feel disintegrating for apatient with a weak sense of self."Oh.Now I see why feel so selfconscious in session.

"Analysis not only exposes, itintensifies."Oh.Now I see why Ifeel bad on the way to feelingbetter.

"The analyst's silence, too, is a form of statement, often apowerful one."Oh.Now I see why, at least partially, I feel panickywhen he's silent.Now I know why it feels like he's shouting when he'ssilent. For me, a silence often puts me floating in an abyss with nothingto grasp onto.I hadn't told my analyst that before I read thebook.

"Analysis demands profound regression."Oh.Now I seewhy I have to cry, even though I don't want to.Now I see why I want tostay home, under my comforter, and not face the day.

"There arelevels or degrees of insight.Perhaps the deepest level is that in whichunderstanding is most thoroughly integrated, so integrated that one'scharacter and mental functioning utilize the understanding without havingto resort to conscious thought."Oh.Now I see where I'mgoing.

Dr. Poland humanizes the analyst in a way the analyst cannot do.Dr. Poland can generalize.With one's own analyst the relationship is toosingular, too specific.One never knows if a reaction is part of atransference.One never knows if a behavior of an analyst is a personalityquirk or a technique.

The book is also reassuring on the genuinenessfront.For a long time with my own analysis I wasn't sure what was genuineand what was technique.There is too much information to go into detailhere, but by the end of the book, I had a deep sense of the caring andgenuineness that emanates from at least some (and hopefully most) of thepeople who do this work.

Not a quick and easy read, but definitely anenlightening one.

Enjoy. ... Read more

Book Description
Although clinical interpretation originated with Freud, the latter's positivist preference for purely observational methods made him ambivalent toward interpretive methods. According to Rubovits-Seitz, the legacy of Freud's positivism still pervades clinical thinking and interferes with progress in investigating and improving interpretive methods. He reviews the paradigm shift in general science from positivism to postpositivism by way of demonstrating the compatibility of interpretive inquiry with a postpositivist approach.

Post-Freudian models of clinical interpretation are evaluated, andclinical methods of interpretation are compared with interpretive approachesin nonclinical fields. A detailed discussion of the neglected problem ofjustifying interpretations incorporates evaluations of specific justifyingprocedures and a case report illustrating applications of such methods. Thework concludes with a consideration of common but avoidable errors in clinicalinterpretation along with remedial strategies for dealing with them.

Following Depth-Psychological Understanding, clinicians may no longer take for granted the interpretive process and the accuracy of their own interpretations. Rubovits-Seitz's scholarly survey marks a major advance in comprehending the methodology of clinical interpretation and in setting forth both the problems and promise of interpretive methods. ... Read more