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Ronald Fairbairn: A Contemporary Introduction
In this concise and introductory book, David Celani examines the work of Ronald Fairbairn, one of the pioneers of Object Relations Theory.
Ronald A Contemporary Introduction adopts a unique approach to Fairbairn’s work and legacy. Organizing the book thematically, Celani makes connections between Fairbairn’s disparate and often convoluted papers, offering the reader a more accessible insight into the work of this eminent analyst. He looks in turn at Fairbairn’s field-defining work on Object Relations, split consciousness, repression and the impact of parental neglect on a child’s developing personality. Celani also explores Fairbairn’s assessment of infants’ dependency on their maternal figure and brings his ideas into the 21st century. Considering the work of Philip Bromberg in tandem with that of Fairbairn, Celani considers the practical, clinical and theoretical implications of Fairbairn’s model.
This volume is essential reading for analysts in practice and training interested in the work of Fairbairn and the impact Object Relations have had on psychoanalysis as a whole.
Ronald A Contemporary Introduction adopts a unique approach to Fairbairn’s work and legacy. Organizing the book thematically, Celani makes connections between Fairbairn’s disparate and often convoluted papers, offering the reader a more accessible insight into the work of this eminent analyst. He looks in turn at Fairbairn’s field-defining work on Object Relations, split consciousness, repression and the impact of parental neglect on a child’s developing personality. Celani also explores Fairbairn’s assessment of infants’ dependency on their maternal figure and brings his ideas into the 21st century. Considering the work of Philip Bromberg in tandem with that of Fairbairn, Celani considers the practical, clinical and theoretical implications of Fairbairn’s model.
This volume is essential reading for analysts in practice and training interested in the work of Fairbairn and the impact Object Relations have had on psychoanalysis as a whole.
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2024
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December 21, 2025
An excellent distillation of Ronald Fairburn’s contribution to Object Relations thought. The author clearly communicates and synthesizes aspects of the model they are much easier to understand than by going through the source materials. He also highlights deficits in the model, and compares it to contributions from both contemporary and foundational thinkers.
Overall, this is a helpful and unique model that describes how and why neglect is detrimental to psychological development, and ways it may play out in both childhood and adulthood. The case examples help deepen the reader’s understanding and clinical application of this model.
Overall, this is a helpful and unique model that describes how and why neglect is detrimental to psychological development, and ways it may play out in both childhood and adulthood. The case examples help deepen the reader’s understanding and clinical application of this model.
Displaying 1 of 1 review