Reflections on Self Psychology

Originally published in 1983 this book records the development of a powerful initiative to alter psychoanalytic theory and practice, and an evaluative questioning of this initiative. It presents a dialogue that developed at the Boston Symposium of 1980 between vigorous proponents of self psychology, equally energetic critics, and many participants between these polar positions.

This book attempts to capture within its pages not only the content of what was presented, explored, and evaluated in Boston, but also a sense of the people, about 1, 000 strong, who exchanged their ideas on and off the podium - and the remarkable spirit of open inquiry that invigorated these proceedings.