Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Therapies (Theories of Psychotherapy Series®)

by Jeremy D. Safran

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Author: Jeremy D. Safran

Publisher: American Psychological Association

Paperback:
ISBN 10: 1433809788
ISBN 13: 978-1433809781

Winner of the 2013 Gradiva Award!

In Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Therapies, Jeremy D. Safran provides a masterful and engaging overview of this uniquely important family of theories and approaches to psychotherapy, developed and refined over more than a century by key theorists, researchers and clinicians around the word. He also examines the origins of psychoanalysis as a new way of looking at inner life, and discusses its role as one of the more influential intellectual developments of the 20th century. This book charts the major turning points in the development of psychoanalytic theory, as well as cutting edge developments in theory, practice and research. Safran explores the way in which psychoanalysis, which originated in the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of the nineteenth century, evolved in diverse ways as it took hold in different countries and cultures. Of particular interest is his examination of the ongoing historical tension between the subversive and politically progressive threads in psychoanalysis, and its more culturally conservative tendencies. Safran also presents a carefully reasoned assessment of the vital and constructive role that contemporary psychoanalytic developments can potentially have on the future of our healthcare system and culture. This essential primer to psychoanalytic approaches, amply illustrated with case examples, is perfect for students and trainees interested in learning about psychoanalysis, as well as seasoned clinicians interested in keeping up with state of the art developments in theory, practice and research.

Review

In this masterful and highly engaging introduction to contemporary psychoanalytic theory and practice, Jeremy Safran, a leading psychoanalyst and psychotherapy researcher, has prepared an appetizing and immensely satisfying clinical, theoretical and intellectual feast. This gem of a book provides a comprehensive digest of the leading schools of psychoanalytic thought, along with clinical implications and relevant research. One of the unique features of this book is the way in which it contextualizes the origins and evolution of psychoanalytic theory and practice in cultural, historical and political terms. Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Therapies will be an invaluable resource for graduate students in psychology and others interested in absorbing over a century of complex thought organized into a single text. It will also be a compelling and thought provoking read for more experienced psychoanalytic clinicians." --Lewis Aron, PhD, Director, New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis

Safran uniquely combines four qualities that make this such a compelling and indispensible book. First, as a leading psychoanalytic researcher he gives an authoritative overview of the role (and limitations) of psychoanalysis's contribution to evidence-based psychotherapy. Second, he possesses an enviable cultural breadth which enables him to trace the evolution of particular psychoanalytic perspectives within their sociological and political context. Third, he is an experienced clinician, able to advocate his own particular psychoanalytic approach - broadly speaking relational - while at the same time doing justice to other sometimes competing psychoanalytic modalities. Above all Safran's personal qualities permeate and shine through every paragraph: deep scholarship combined with healthy skepticism, humility and precision, compassion and doggedness, humour and seriousness, love (if one dare use such a word) and realism. A book to be read - almost at one sitting - and recommended to one's friends, students, colleagues, and even enemies! --Jeremy Holmes MD, Visiting Professor of Psychological Therapies, University of Exeter, UK

This is a remarkably important and useful book that will go a long way toward clarifying the many serious misconceptions of psychoanalytic thought that are common in the academic world today. Written by an author who is both a clinician and a leading researcher, it illuminates both the conceptual and the empirical foundations of psychoanalytic thought and practice. Safran examines insightfully the important differences that distinguish different versions of psychoanalytic thought as well as the underlying convergences that make it meaningful to say that these diverse branches of the family tree all share a common paradigm. Of special interest and value is Safran's attention to the social context from which evolving psychoanalytic understandings arose and his discussion of the tensions between subversive and conformist trends in psychoanalysis, both with regard to psychoanalytic orthodoxy and to the broader field of social conservatism or social critique. In an era when mental health treatment is increasingly dominated by the values and interests of powerful for-profit corporations, Safran makes a strong case for a deeper, more complex, and more human approach. --Paul L. Wachtel, PhD, CUNY Distinguished Professor, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, City College of CUNY

This gracefully written book synthesizes over a century of psychoanalytic evolution, from Freud and those he inspired to today's most innovative paradigm-shifters. As a leading relational psychoanalyst and psychotherapy researcher, Safran is uniquely situated to cover this formidable terrain. Illustrating his points with compelling case descriptions, he integrates science with art, theory with practice, and guiding ideals with inescapable political realities. This book is an unusually accessible introduction for readers completely unfamiliar with contemporary psychoanalysis and an engrossing, enlightening read for those of us who have benefited for decades from psychoanalytic ideas." --Nancy McWilliams, PhD, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

This is not a good book. It is a great book. There has never been such a sophisticated, yet readable introduction to the theory of psychoanalytic therapy. It is a masterpiece of integration between new and old; clinical and conceptual; and research with practice. The ideas simply jump off the page through carefully crafted illustrations of clinical interactions, empirical observations and applications to overlapping clinical domains. Safran brings a staggering breadth of knowledge, creativity and command of language to the best text on psychoanalytic therapy to date. --Peter Fonagy, PhD, FBA, Freud Memorial Professor of Psychoanalysis, University College London

We are all very fortunate that Jeremy Safran was selected to present Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Therapies as part of this series. He has written a superb book that combines theoretical clarity, historical perspective, social and political context, awareness of research, and clinical acumen. With regard to the latter, a DVD showing six sessions of Safran's clinical work accompanies the book. At the risk of stating a cliche, I really do not know of any other book that integrates theory and practice as excellently as this book does. An additional bonus is that Safran s writing is lucid and compelling. This is definitely a book to be read and cherished. --Morris Eagle, PhD, Professor Emeritus, The Derner Institute for Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University

About the Author

Jeremy D. Safran, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology and former Director of Clinical Psychology at the New School for Social Research in New York City. He is also Senior Research Scientist at Beth Israel Medical Center, and Past President of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy. In addition, he is Clinical Professor at the New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, and a faculty member at the Stephen A. Mitchell Center for Relational Studies. Dr. Safran is on the editorial boards of Psychotherapy Research and Psychoanalytic Psychology, and is an associate editor for the journal Psychoanalytic Dialogues. He has published more than 150 articles and chapters, and several books, including Negotiating the Therapeutic Alliance: A Relational Treatment Guide; Emotion in Psychotherapy; The Therapeutic Alliance in Brief Psychotherapy; Interpersonal Process in Cognitive Therapy; and Psychoanalysis and Buddhism: An Unfolding Dialogue. Dr. Safran and his colleagues have conducted empirical research on the topic of therapeutic impasses for the past 25 years. He is also known for his work on the topic of emotion in psychotherapy and for his integration of principles from Buddhist psychology into psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.

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Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Therapies (Theories of Psychotherapy Series®)