Object Relations and Self Psychology: An Introduction

This book provides a useful survey of the various writers and practitioners who are customarily regarded as Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic theorists. The author begins with Freud's drive-oriented model and progresses on through more relational-focused proponents such as Melanie Klein, W.R.D. Fairbairn, D.W. Winnicott, and Kernberg on to Self Psychologists, Heinz Kohut and Stephen Mitchell. The book is consistently organized throughout, with each chapter including each theorist's key concepts, how these concepts inform the developmental process, how psychopathology is defined and illustrative cases. The language at times can be somewhat cumbersome and unclear. I also received this feedback from my students. Nonetheless, in almost an outline format, this book provides a broad overview and a good amount of information in its slim volume without going into great depth.The Basic Writings of Sigmund Freud (Psychopathology of Everyday Life, the Interpretation of Dreams, and Three Contributions To the Theory of Sex)Selected Melanie KleinPlaying and Reality (Routledge Classics)Winnicott: His Life And WorkThe Analysis of the Self: A Systematic Approach to the Psychoanalytic Treatment of Narcissistic Personality Disorders

This book offers a really good introduction to many of the primary post-Freudian theorists. It was clear to read and really provided a sound introduction to some complicated ideas. This book was better than the others of its type. Worth the investment.

StClair has made a brief summary of the followers of Freudian psychodynamic thought in the book. It is nice to see the outline of the theories of many important theorists in the field. For me, the book was a good guide to enter the object relations and self psychology. The book gives a global look on recent psychoanalytic teories. After reading the book I found myself closer to some of the theorists concerned in the book and went on exploring more on them. It was a good start for a beginner like me.