Treating the Self: Elements of Clinical Self Psychology

by Ernest S. Wolf

This classic text is about how an analyst analyzes. Rooted in the theory of psychoanalytic self psychology as put forth by Heinz Kohut and his colleagues, Treating the Self focuses on the application of the self-psychological concept of the psyche to the actual conduct of psychoanalytic treatment. The result is not a "how-to" approach, but rather a volume that suggests a theory of treatment and offers guidelines for creative ways of thinking about therapy. Written by Ernest Wolf, a close collaborator of Heinz Kohut, this is a personal account of the process of self psychology presented by one of the foremost experts in the field.
 

Genres: Psychology, Psychoanalysis, School, Psychiatry, Nonfiction

194 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 1988

Reviews

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a junior therapist, who is first encountering self-psychology, I found this book very valuable as an overview of the theory and more importantly for someone who likes to integrate, applications in clinical practice. It is not overly technical, but does provide theory and clinical experiences to support assertions. Regardless of what you think of self-psychology I do believe there is value in the system for thinking of here & now ruptures with patients and this book provides encouragement to work with those inevitable ruptures

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dissertation advisor turned me on to Wolf's work. Wolf presents Kohut's self-psychology work in a clearly explained, simple manner that is rare to find in psychology texts.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read sections in a psychoanalytic course but reading the whole book was much more helpful to my clinical practice.