Self Psychology: An Introduction

Peter Lessem has provided us with an unusually complete text on the development of Kohut's self psychology and the ongoing evolution of self psychological theory in contemporary times. Erudite and sophisticated Lessem critically assesses self psychological theory and its contributions to psychoanalysis. This book is much more than “an introduction,” its historical elucidation and synthesis of central issues makes it highly valuable for all who are interested in self psychology. (James L. Fosshage, Ph.D, President, International Association for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology)

Working from Kohut's basic ideas, practicing psychoanalytic psychotherapist Lessem provides his particular reading of the theory and practice of self psychology, reflecting both the evolution of its concepts and the internal logic of their relationships to each other. (Scitech Book News)

Readers will be impressed by the ease and coherence with which Peter Lessem covers the breadth of self psychological theory....It is not often that one finds a book within the psychodynamic discipline that so clearly and concisely introduces both the origins and contemporary qualities of a clinical theory....This book is more than welcome....This book is excellent for anyone interested in quickly developing a broad understanding of the emergence of self psychology. (Division 39 Newsletter, December 2008)

Peter Lessem has written a superb and clinician-friendly introduction to self psychology. In its cogent explication of the relationship between new developments in psychoanalytic theory and clinical practice, the book covers not only traditional self psychology but also various contemporary relational-systems approaches as well. It will be of great value to students and trainees and to seasoned practitioners alike. (Robert D. Stolorow, Ph.D., Co-author, Worlds of Experience)

Peter Lessem is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in New York City. He has been in practice over twenty-five years treating adults, adolescents, and couples. He is on the faculty of the Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity, the National Institute of the Psychotherapies, and the Professional Psychoanalytic Study Center. He is married and has a daughter and stepson.