Heinz Kohut and the Psychology of the Self (Makers of Modern Psychotherapy) [Paperback]

Allen M. Siegel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0415086388 | ISBN-13: 978-0415086387 | Edition: 1

Heinz Kohut's work represents an important departure from the Freudian tradition of psychoanalysis. A founder of the Self Psychology movement in America, he based his practice on the belief that narcissistic vulnerabilities play a significant part in the suffering that brings people for treatment. Written predominantly for a psychoanalytic audience Kohut's work is often difficult to interpret. Siegel uses examples from his own practice to show how Kohut's innovative theories can be applied to other forms of treatment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Self Psychology is a vigorous branch of psychoanalysis and should be better known and understood here... I recommend this book as an excellent introduction to the work of Heinz Kohut. - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

About the Author

Allen M. Siegel is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in private practice in Chicago. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (November 9, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415086388
• ISBN-13: 978-0415086387
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #539,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent First book on the topic, March 2, 2008

By 

K. Angel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heinz Kohut and the Psychology of the Self (Makers of Modern Psychotherapy) (Paperback)

This easy to read paperback covers self psychology in almost the same order that Kohut does in his two volume work. You come away with a good grasp of all the basic concepts.

I did not find it at all "dry". It is well written and I considered it an easy read for anyone who has some understanding of the psychodynamic thinking which preceeded Self Psychology.

15 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fascinating stuff, some repetition, a little dry, December 28, 2000

By 

Daniel Mackler (on the road) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heinz Kohut and the Psychology of the Self (Makers of Modern Psychotherapy) (Paperback)

fascinating stuff, some repetition (which is both good and bad - because this stuff is complex and i needed the repetition), though all a little dry... but the bottom line is, the stuff within is great. all about the development of narcissism, be it healthy or unhealthy, and what is healthy narcissism. describes how trauma in childhood (essentially improper love and care by parents or parental figures) constitutes a narcissistic injury to a child and impedes their healthy maturation, and how they get stuck in a certain infantile place, acting out their woundedness over and over and over again.

also talks about the recovery process through therapy, and different phases of recovery from disturbed narcissism.

all in all a fascinating book, though much technical terminology and complex explanations. i think this information could be made much more simplified and accessible, but, nevertheless, kohut and this stuff written about him is groundbreaking, so better that it's a little dry than not there at all!