Transcending the Self: An Object Relations Model of Psychoanalytic Therapy by Frank Summers

by Frank Summers

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 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/relational and interpretive perspectives. It is a model that can help patients undertake the most gratifying and treacherous of personality 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

Genres: Psychoanalysis

Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

Reviews

[Amirreza Mahmoudzadeh-Sagheb · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Transcending the Self: An Object Relations Model of Psychoanalytic Therapy" by Frank Summers

Summers presents an object relations theory which is more practical and compatible with developmental psychology researches in contrary to some other psychoanalytic theories which are based on presumptions that aren't approved by researches.

Summer's method combines interpretative and interpersonal styles and surpasses the previous models of psychoanalytic therapy which were committed merely to one of these styles (e.g. Summers criticizes Breuer's management of Anna O.'s case and concludes that his method didn't lead to complete remission of her symptoms because he considered treatment to be only dependent on interpretation and not building new structures in the patient's self). He explains the differences with other psychoanalytic methods and compares his object relations model to the other methods. By this way, comparison between these methods is more feasible.

He gives enough examples of clinical cases that he had managed before by this model. He mostly focuses on three disorders: Borderline, Narcissistic, and Neurotic disorders. However, if reader is wise enough and struggles enough with the text, he can find out that many other disorders can be managed by this model as well (e.g. Histrionic, Paranoid, Schizoid, and Dependent personality disorders). His explanations shed light on the similarities of some personality disorders in the childhood roots and why they become divergent as the person grows up.
It's not reasonable to claim that a psychotherapeutic model is all-inclusive and all cases can be managed by it and Summers doesn't claim that as well. However, I believe that this model can be more effective than previous methods in psychoanalytic school. It's not a matter of question whether we should bow in front of Freud or kick all of his thoughts out of therapy. Freud contributed a lot to the foundation of this school, but it's reactionary to stop on Freud's ideas and not look at them critically. Psychotherapists have to learn to pass over Freud and other early psychoanalysts and try to exceed them, not to follow them. For example, Freud emphasized too much on biological instincts and desires which are obviously some kind of reductionism.

This model combines theory with action. So, its goal isn't only to find out how the patient became who he is now, but its goal is to understand what can he become in the future and then help him to transcend his current self. In summary, after finding out the roots of current behaviors and personality and presenting the interpretations to the patient, he helped the patients to create new object relations in the therapeutic field with the help of psychotherapist.

In my opinion, the most challenging part of Summers' practice was managing borderline patients because their ambivalence makes the psychotherapist to be very cautious as if he's walking on a thin thread; he shouldn't get too intimate or too far from the patient. Else, the patient will express frantic efforts to disrupt the relationship. In addition, his patience in managing such challenging patients is admirable.

In some parts, he explains some concepts more than enough. Apart from this point, this book was excellent. After all, I think this book isn't appreciated enough in psychotherapy literature.