Building Bridges: The Negotiation of Paradox in Psychoanalysis (Relational Perspectives Book Series, Vol 11) (Hardcover)

by Stuart A. Pizer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"In this deeply thoughtful, moving book, Pizer lays bare the subjectivity and reflectiveness of the analyst with rare honesty and great breadth of understanding. By elaborating his own unique understanding of paradox and recognition in the context of a generous but critical reflection on the work of his colleagues in relational psychoanalysis, Pizer offers a valuable framework for this emerging perspective. At the same time, his discussion of negotiating the 'crunches' within the analytic relationship illuminates so skillfully the daily experience of our practice - the personal agonies and empathies, the missteps as well as the successes, the love and hate of this intimate work - that I would commend it to all as a companion guide to the analytic journey." (Jessica Benjamin, Ph.D., author of Shadow of the Other)

"Pizer's highly developed view of the psychoanalytic encounter in terms of paradox has enormous value. He is radical in his uncompromising insistence that psychic life is characterized by unresolved, perhaps insoluble, contradictions. At the same time, he is exquisitely sensitive to the process of negotiation by which paradox is continuously managed intrapsychically and in interpersonal relations. No clinician can afford to overlook Pizer's unique perspective on the way in which analytic work unfolds." (Owen Renik, M.D., San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute)

"Building Bridges: The Negotiation of Paradox in Psychoanalysis examines contemporary approaches to the understanding of the psychoanalytic process. Pizer fully acknowledges and documents the impossible dilemmas implicit in psychoanalytic treatment. In doing so he provides a theoretical framework for moving far beyond traditional ideas of conflict resolution. Readers will find this book to be a very thoughtful contribution to psychoanalytic technique." -- Arnold H. Modell, M.D., Harvard Medical School

In this deeply thoughtful, moving book, Pizer lays bare the subjectivity and reflectiveness of the analyst with rare honesty and great breadth of understanding. By elaborating his own unique understanding of paradox and recognition in the context of a generous but critical reflection on the work of his colleagues in relational psychoanalysis, Pizer offers a valuable framework for this emerging perspective. At the same time, his discussion of negotiating the crunches within the analytic relationship illuminates so skillfully the daily experience of our practice - the personal agonies and empathies, the missteps as well as the successes, the love and the hate of this intimate work - that I would commend it to all as a compassionate guide to the analytic journey.

- Jessica Benjamin, Ph.D., author of Shadow of the Other

Pizer’s highly developed view of the psychoanalytic encounter in terms of paradox has enormous value. He is radical in his uncompromising insistence that psychic life is characterized by unresolved, perhaps insoluble, contradictions. At the same time, he is exquisitely sensitive to the process of negotiation by which paradox is continuously managed intrapsychically and in interpersonal relations. No clinician can afford to overlook Pizer’s unique perspective on the way in which analytic work unfolds.

- Owen Renik, M.D., San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute

Building Bridges examines contemporary approaches to the understanding of the psychoanalytic process. Pizer fully acknowledges and documents the impossible dilemmas implicit in psychoanalytic treatment. In doing so he provides a theoretical framework for moving far beyond traditional ideas of conflict resolution. Readers will find this book to be a very thoughtful contribution to psychoanalytic technique.

- Arnold H. Modell, M.D., Harvard Medical School

[Building Bridges] enriched my work and my thinking about my work. Its clinical material is offered in generous portions and with remarkable candor and feelings.

- Donnel Stern, Ph.D., JAPA

Product Description
In Building Bridges, Stuart A. Pizer gives much-needed recognition to the central role of negotiation in the analytic relationship and in the therapeutic process. Building on a Winnicottian perspective that comprehends paradox as the condition for preserving an intrapsychic and relational "potential space," Pizer explores how the straddling of paradox requires an ongoing process of negotiation and demonstrates how such negotiation articulates the creative potential within the potential space of analysis.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: The Analytic Press (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881631701
• ISBN-13: 978-0881631708
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,115,891 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)