Individual Psychotherapy and the Science of Psychodynamics (Hodder Arnold Publication) [Paperback]

David H. Malan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 075062387X | ISBN-13: 978-0750623872 | Publication Date: June 27, 1995 | Edition: 2

Firmly established as a 'classic' textbook of dynamic psychotherapy the revision of this book brings important areas of theory and practice up to date. It offers an invaluable description of the technique of dynamic psychotherapy and its underlyingtheory. Practical applications using different techniques are presented for a range of situations from the straightforward to handling dangerous patients. The clinical stories on which the text is based ensure its appeal to anyone with a deep interestin people. It remains an excellent companion and resource for practitioners and students of psychotherapy. New material- includes fuller coverage of: the mother in the male Oedipus complex* masochism* disturbances in the relation with siblings*the'compulsion to repeat.'- further follow-up on many of the patients discussed in the first edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Firmly established as a 'classic' textbook of dynamic psychotherapy the revision of this book brings important areas of theory and practice up to date. It offers an invaluable description of the technique of dynamic psychotherapy and its underlyingtheory. Practical applications using different techniques are presented for a range of situations from the straightforward to handling dangerous patients. The clinical stories on which the text is based ensure its appeal to anyone with a deep interestin people. It remains an excellent companion and resource for practitioners and students of psychotherapy. New material- includes fuller coverage of: the mother in the male Oedipus complex* masochism* disturbances in the relation with siblings*the'compulsion to repeat.'- further follow-up on many of the patients discussed in the first edition.

About the Author

MALAN, DAVID H, DM FRCPsych, Formerly Consultant Psychiatrist, Tavistock Clinic, London, UK

Product Details

• Paperback: 305 pages
• Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2 edition (June 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075062387X
• ISBN-13: 978-0750623872
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for psychodynamic psychotherapists, January 5, 2000

By 

Paul Jerry (Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Individual Psychotherapy and the Science of Psychodynamics (Hodder Arnold Publication) (Paperback)

Dr. Malan's work is an excellent description of how to approach a client from a psychodynamic perspective. Building from some basic dynamic patterns (Oedipal etc) Malan shows how common presenting issues are driven by unconscious processes.

Malan relies on a model which incorporates the triangles of person and conflict (reminicent of Menninger's work in the 50's). This model provides a visual and well as conceptual tool for understanding the moment-by-moment events in the psychotherapy session. I have found this model to be most useful and have also published accounts of psychotherapy using this text as the key resource.

Throughout the text, Malan uses case examples to illustrate theory. While some readers might find the book heavy going at times, the determined reader will be rewarded with a wealth of clinical wisdom.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The triangle of Conflict and the triangle of Person, January 25, 2000

By 

Tony Brown (Plymouth UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Individual Psychotherapy and the Science of Psychodynamics (Hodder Arnold Publication) (Paperback)

Malan offers the reader a window into the unconscious. He is both practical (as an analyst with an eclectic range of paradigms) and as an author who offers powerful stories that help the reader to make sense of the complexity of his psychotherapeutic practice. The stories offer insights into the worlds of his (often temporarily unhealthy) patients, but for me, the useful theorising emerges from his symbolism - the development of the two triangles. The Triangle of Conflict, with its three vertices representing Defence, Anxiety and Hidden Feelings: and the Triangle of Person, where the vertices represent Other 'O'(recent past), Transference, 'T' (here-and-now) and Parent 'P' (distant past). With this framework, Malan puts his patients (and fortunately for us - his readers) in touch with appropriate questions to ask of their unconscious.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on Psychodynamics I Have Read, January 28, 2012

By 

C. M. Jones - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Individual Psychotherapy and the Science of Psychodynamics (Hodder Arnold Publication) (Paperback)

This is one of the main texts for my graduate psychotherapy class and it is the best book on psychodynamics that I have ever read. I love this text and I carry it around with me to re-read portions at my leisure. It is very comprehensive and demonstrates concepts through case studies. Very informative and a joy to read. I could not put it down!