Description
Book SynopsisEmpathic Attunement captures the essence of Kohut''s contributions to self psychology and the mental health field. Straightforward, accurate, and practical, the authors introduce student and experienced clinician alike to the synthesis of Kohut''s major concepts and their clinical applications. The authors highlight Kohut''s emphasis on the empathic mode of data gathering from within the patient''s experiences. Kohut considers empathythe capacity to think and feel oneself into the inner life of another personto be the major tool of therapy.
Trade ReviewEmpathic Attunement carefully leads the reader from the earliest of Kohut's observations through the newly developing theory and into detailed case reports. . . . At the same time, the thoughts of the treating clinician provide a running commentary that is invaluable in demonstrating the constant and fertile interplay between theory and practice, or, in Kohutian terms, between understanding and explaining. In an admirably self-revealing manner that does not hide countertransferences, the authors invite the reader to learn by empathic participation. This is a book that will appeal to beginners and to experienced practitioners alike. It can be recommended to all. -- Ernst Wolf, M.D., Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis
The authors take beginners by the hand and walk them through the details of the contributions of Heinz Kohut in a simple, direct, masterly, and easy-to-follow fashion. They have digested Kohut's work, made it their own, and through their clinical examples, sensitively bring their readers step by step inside their clinical experiences. They share this in an open, sound, and pedagogically appealing fashion. They are as empathic with their readers as they are with their patients—a most felicitous combination. -- Dr. Paul Ornstein, University of Cincinnati, co-director of the International Center for the Study of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology
Table of ContentsPart 1 Part I: Understanding from the Vantage Point of the Patient's Experience Chapter 2 Kohut the Man Chapter 3 Empathy—Its Definition and Functions Chapter 4 The Selfobject Concept and Selfobject Transference Chapter 5 Stages in the Development of the Self Part 6 Part II: Treatment in Self Psychology Chapter 7 Transmuting Internalization Chapter 8 Mental Health and Illness Chapter 9 The Place of Drives in Self Psychology Chapter 10 Defense and Resistance Chapter 11 Dreams Chapter 12 The Curative Process Part 13 Part III: Clinical Applications of Self Psychology Chapter 14 Kohut's Two Analyses of Mr. Z. Chapter 15 Treatment of a Narcissistic Personality Disorder: The Case of Ms. O. Chapter 16 Expanding Attunement to the Patient's Shifting Experience: The Case of Ms. O. Chapter 17 Development of the Therapeutic Process: The Case of Ms. O. Chapter 18 More Specific Understanding: The Case of Ms. O. Chapter 19 Treatment of a Borderline Personality Disorder: The Case of Mr. V. Chapter 20 Development of the Therapeutic Process: The Case of Mr. V. Chapter 21 More Specific Understanding: The Case of Mr. V. Chapter 22 The Empathic-Introspective Approach
