Within the psychoanalytic literature, the past several decades have witnessed an explosion of new data, concepts, and theories bearing on the myriad ways in which people relate to, interact with, and, in their interior structures, are even composed of, each other. These contributions have emerged from various traditions and have been cast in different terminologies. Attachment, object-seeking, intersubjectivity, field theory, systems theory, the interpersonal field, "now moments", and "relational moves" figure prominently among the terms that have been invoked to describe different facets of the relational matrix within which human experience transpires. Despite this profusion of overlapping ideas and concerns, however, there has been little systematic effort at critical synthesis. It is the need for just such synthesis that animates Stephen A. Mitchell, a major architect of what has come to be known as "relational psychoanalysis." In previous books, Mitchell has contributed to naming, defining, and elaborating the relational turn in psychoanalysis both in theory and in clinical practice. Now, in this study, Mitchell provides a broad integrative framework for understanding the rela
Table of Contents:
Part I: From Ghosts to Ancestors: The Psychoanalytic Vision of Hans Loewald. Language and Reality. Drives and Objects. Part II: Levels of Organization. An Interactional Hierarchy. Attachment Theory and Relationality. Fairbairn's Object-Seeking: Between Paradigms. Intersubjectivity: Between Expressiveness and Restraint in the Analytic Relationship.
Review :
“This particular volume, like so much of Mitchell’s work, is noteworthy for its sparkling originality and creativity. It is written with obvious care, great honesty, clarity, and structure. . . [It] exhibits many facets of Stephen Mitchell’s ability to create, interpret, and transmit psychoanalytic theory.”
- Mark Somerstein, Psychoanalytic Social Work
"Relationality imparts new theoretical depth, substance, and complexity to relational psychoanalysis, systematizing its different components and documenting how it has been saturated by various historical strands within psychoanalysis. It especially develop's Mitchell's sense of the fundamental contributions of Loewald, Fairbairn, and Bowlby. With Enormous respect and even-handed clarity, with often lyrical prose infused with warmth and humor, and with richly elaboraed clinical examples, this book comes from Mitchell's own heart yet shows his mind at its most creative, original, and integrative. It signals a new height in his always illuminating writing."
- Nancy J. Chodorow, Ph.D., Author, The Power of Feelings
"In this book the relational perspective 'comes of age.' Mitchell brings his supreme confidence in navigating psychoanalytic theories to bear on the evolution of the relational perspective. The relationality of mind is placed in the context of the psychoanalytic tradition and out of it evolves a highly satisfying and elegantly integrated approach tht is respectful of other traditions while casting them in a fresh light. The result is a compelling new psychoanalytic theory for he 21st Century. Relationality is a remarkable achievement of creative scholarship that should be read by every psychodynamic clinician concerned with human relatedness."
- Peter Fonagy, Ph.D., Freud Memorial Professor of Psychoanalysis, University College London
"Stephen Mitchell's writing is always a delight and an education. In Relationality, with his characteristic lucidity, Mitchell explores the multiple dimensions and nuances of relationality, attachment, intersubjectivity, and systems theory. He shows the voices of Loewald, Fairbairn, Bowlby, Winnicott, and Sullivan converge and can be interwoven. His masterful and creative close reading on Loewald makes him accessible in a brand new way and could even stand on its own. Complementing Mitchell's theoretical erudition is a clinical responsiveness equally notable for its responsible restraint. He provides clinical examples of how to make use of ourselves and our spontaneity with respect to thoughtfulness, and he does so without endorsing an 'anything goes' mentality. Mitchell does far more than illuminate theory; in fresh and delightful ways, with grace and compassion, he illuminates people. For any course on relational theory this gem of a book should be at the top of the reading list."
- Susan Coates, Ph.D., Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research
