Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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!