The Restoration of the Self

by Heinz Kohut

In his foundational work The Restoration of the Self , noted psychoanalyst Heinz Kohut boldly challenges what he called “the limits of classical analytic theory” and the Freudian orthodoxy. Here Kohut proposes a “psychology of the self” as a theory in its own right—one that can stand beside the teachings of Freud and Jung. Using clinical data, Kohut explores issues such as the role of narcissism in personality, when a patient can be considered cured, and the oversimplifications and social biases that unduly influenced Freudian thought. This volume puts forth some of Kohut’s most influential ideas on achieving emotional health through a balanced, creative, and joyful sense of self. "Kohut speaks clearly from his identity as a psychoanalyst-healer, showing that he is more of a psychoanalyst than most, and yet calling for major theoretical revisions including a redefinition of the essence of psychoanalysis.”— American Journal of Psychotherapy

Genres: Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Academic, School

368 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1973

About the author

Heinz Kohut was an Austrian-born American psychoanalyst best known for his development of Self psychology, an influential school of thought within psychodynamic /psychoanalytic theory which helped transform the modern practice of analytic and dynamic treatment approaches.

Reviews

[Levantino · Rating 4 out of 5]

To begin with, this was not an easy read. It contains, though, ample food for thought.
Heinz Kohut offers an alternative to Freud's psychology of drives. In Kohut's theory, the individual is not a helpless subject of her or his drives. Kohut acknowledges the influence of the individual's relations with others on the structure of the self. This intended marriage of psychoanalysis and social factors seems very promising.
Kohut discusses the dynamics of a fragmented and crumbling self with reference to the individual's relations to self-objects. Summarizing his concepts here will take too much of my time now, but let it suffice to say that Kohut really opens up a new phase in the history of psychoanalysis. I think, his model might be used as a less-medicalised version of psychoanalysis and could be used in the analysis of literary characters as well.

[Mawr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though, unfortunately, this book has the same problem of tortuously wordy, long sentence constructions that I found in Kohut's 'Analysis of the Self', I still found much insight in it for understanding the inner workings of the mind. The 'bipolar self', in which we find the need for mirroring of grandiosity on one side, and the need for an idealized parent on the other, is something I find interesting in how it further develops the psychoanalytic view of the personality as relational, involving psychic bridges, if you will, between the self and others. An illuminating read.

[lfreaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kohut at his best. Inspiring and Aspirational to all those curious about the development of an authentic self or working in the field of psychiatry/psychoanalysis fed up with cookie cutter definitions of mindfulness and workbooks offering wellness. Whether you like, love or critique him 9I have done all three at various points) this particular volume will leave one clear his capacity to articulate what it is to know being whole.

[Hon Lady Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is not fear that generates anxiety, but the anticipation of reexperiencing the devastating, potentially disintegrating disappointment of early empathic failures if they dare once again to reach for emotional fulfilment."

This man respected his patients more than any other analyst I've read.

[Artjom Juferov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Attempted to read, the idea is developing so slowly could not get through it

[Micah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since the main ideas were fairly easy to grasp, I found this a bit repetitive. Kohut zeroes in on "narcissistic personality disorders," meaning that the analysands are not "too narcissistic" but that they lack healthy narcissism, their selves dissolving into fragments. His theories about an early lack of empathic fusion with self-objects that could structure the self as a center of initiative, composed of ambitions and ideals, are interesting, but somehow a little too pat. Kohut seems to have done what he wanted to do, though: open up a field with some preliminary questions.

[R.F. Tyminski · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone wondering about modern psychoanalysis, this is well worth struggling through. Kohut’s delineation of Guilty Man and Tragic Man is timely during an era of widespread loneliness and alienation.

[Christopher Trend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not always an easy read but a landmark piece of work. He discusses how the self is formed and how psychoanalysis can engage with this. He also uses art & literature to develop his argument and brings out the importance of imagination and creativity

[Marina Andronova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Полезная для практикующего специалиста книга, которая делает акцент на важности эмпатии в нашей работе.

[Jfish938 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as groundbreaking or interesting as Kohut's earlier 'Analysis of the Self'.