Routledge Intersubjective Self Psychology: A Primer

Intersubjective Self Psychology: A Primer offers a comprehensive overview of the theory of Intersubjective Self Psychology and its clinical applications. Readers will gain an in depth understanding of one of the most clinically relevant analytic theories of the past half-century, fully updated and informed by recent discoveries and developments in the field of Intersubjectivity Theory. Most importantly, the volume provides detailed chapters on the clinical treatment principles of Intersubjective Self Psychology and their application to a variety of clinical situations and diagnostic categories such as trauma, addiction, mourning, child therapy, couples treatment, sexuality, suicide and sever pathology. This useful clinical tool will support and inform everyday psychotherapeutic work. Retaining Kohut’s emphasis on the self and selfobject experience, the book conceptualizes the therapeutic situation as a bi-directional field of needed and dreaded selfobject experiences of both patient and analyst. Through a rigorous application of the ISP model, each chapter sheds light on the complex dynamic field within which self-experience and selfobject experience of patient and analyst/therapist unfold and are sustained. The ISP perspective allows the therapist to focus on the patient’s strengths, referred to as the Leading Edge, without neglecting work with the repetitive transferences, or Trailing Edge. This dual focus makes ISP a powerful agent for transformation and growth. Intersubjective Self Psychology provides a unified and comprehensive model of psychological life with specific, practical applications that are clinically informative and therapeutically powerful. The book represents a highly useful resource for psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists around the world. Review  "This book has many voices but one goal: to describe a new model for contemporary psychoanalysis. The authors develop its meaning from many rich and diverse perspectives. Sensitive cases illustrate the theory and make it more accessible for clinicians. This is a path-breaking and essential volume for anyone searching for coherence in the maze of contending approaches to psychotherapy that dominate the landscape." -- Charles B. Strozier, PhD., Author, Heinz Kohut: The Making of a Psychoanalyst "In this lucid and well-articulated volume, we are introduced to the intersection of Kohutian Self Psychology and Intersubjectivity Theory. Readers will find in this book accessible theoretical explanations, which are illustrated by excellent clinical examples. This is a must read for clinicians interested in this innovative approach to clinical work." --Joyce Slochower, Ph.D., ABPP, Professor Emerita, Hunter College & CUNY; Faculty NYU Steven Mitchell Center; Author, Holding and Psychoanalysis: A Relational Perspective & Psychoanalytic Collisions "This book offers students, as well as experienced clinicians, a clear and skillfully illustrated guidebook that combines the most transformative aspects of Heinz Kohut’s and Robert Stolorow’s contributions. The chapters in the book abound with clinical examples for using this approach to treat individuals, children, and couples and in working with depression, addiction, suicidality, and sexuality." --Doris Brothers, Ph.D. Private practice, New York City, Author, Falling Backwards: An Exploration of Trust and Self Experience and Towards a Psychology of Uncertainty About the Author George Hagman, LCSW is a clinical social worker and psychoanalyst in private practice in New York City and Stamford, Connecticut. He is a member and faculty member of the Training and Research Institute in Intersubjective Self Psychology, and the Westchester Center for the Study of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. He is the author of books on the Psychoanalysis, Self Psychology, art, and bereavement. Harry Paul, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice in New York City and Chappaqua, New York. H