The Primer of Object Relations Therapy: (The Library of Object Relations)

In the last two decades, object relations theory has crossed the Atlantic and taken America by storm. The enthusiasm among American clinicians for the British School, however, has led to a host of problems related to the need to master a new terminology. The difficulty in assimilating object relations theory is one more example of the aphorism that America and England are two countries separated by a common language. The Scharffs have taken a giant step forward in assisting American therapists in their efforts to master the language of object relations theory. With this primer they have anticipated the reader's questions at every turn and have answered them in remarkably clear and readable prose. Terms like projective identification, holding, containment, and self are freed from obscurity and made entirely understandable to even the novice clinician. The authors then apply these concepts to a variety of clinical settings. The Scharffs are equally at home when doing individual, family, marital, group, or sex therapy. It is difficult to imagine any other team of authors who could provide such a comprehensive survey of the broad applications of object relations theory. Students in all the mental health professions will find this slim volume to be an extraordinarily useful introduction to the field.

Table of Contents:
0 Prefrace 0 How to Use This Primer 0 List of Figures and Tables Chapter 1 The Self and Its Objects Part 1 Overview of the Concepts of British Object Relations Theory Chapter 2 Basic Freudian Concepts Part 2 Object Relations Theory in Practice Chapter 3 From Freud to Object Relations Theory Chapter 4 Endopsychic Structure Chapter 5 Projective and Introjective Identification and Containment Chapter 6 The Holding Environment Chapter 7 The Concept of Positions Chapter 8 Attachment Theory Chapter 9 Neurobiology and Affect Regulation Chapter 10 Trauma Chapter 11 Chaos Theory Chapter 12 The Therapeutic Relationship and the Geography of the Transference Chapter 13 Relation to Other Theoretical Systems and Clinical Approaches Chapter 14 Principles of Assessment Chapter 15 Technique I: Setting the Frame, Impartiality, Psychological Space, and the Use of the Therapist's Self Chapter 16 Technique II: Working with Transference, Countertransference, and Interpretation Chapter 17 Technique III: The Use of Dreams, Fantasy, and Play Chapter 18 Breif Therapy Chapter 19 Technique and Theory Review with Clinical Illustration Chapter 20 Working Through and Termination Chapter 21 Integration of Individual Therapy with Couple, Family, Group, and Sex Therapies Chapter 22 The Application of Object Relations Theory to Various Syndromes and Populations Chapter 23 The Role and Experience of the Object Relations Therapist Chapter 24 The Devolpment of Therapeutic Capacity Chapter 25 A Guide to Further Reading

About the Author :
Jill Savege Scharff, M.D., is co-director of the International Institute of Object Relations Therapy and clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University. David E. Scharff, M.D., is co-director of the International Institute of Object Relations Therapy and clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University and the Uniformed Services University.

Review :
In the last two decades, object relations theory has crossed the Atlantic and taken America by storm. The enthusiasm among American clinicians for the British School, however, has led to a host of problems related to the need to master a new terminology.The difficulty in assimilating object relations theory is one more example of the aphorism that America and England are two countries separated by a common language. The Scharffs have taken a giant step forward in assisting American therapists in their efforts to master the language of object relations theory. With this primer they have anticipated the reader's questions at every turn and have answered them in remarkably clear and readable prose. Terms like projective identification, holding, containment, and self are freed from obscurity and made entirely understandable to even the novice clinician. The authors then apply these concepts to a variety of clinical settings. The Scharffs are equally at home when doing individual, family, marital, group,or sex therapy. It is difficult to imagine any other team of authors who could provide such a comprehensive survey of the broad applications of object relations theory. Students in all the mental health professions will find this slim volume to be an extr Here at last is a practical and informative guide to object relations therapy. This wonderful primer stands alongside Charles Brenner's classic, An Elementary Textbook of Psychoanalysis, as a clear and comprehensive manual for students, teachers, and therapists alike. Bless you Jill and David Scharff for writing this gem of a book." As object relations theory matures, its clarity improves. David and Jill Scharff's The Primer of Object Relations Therapy is a lucid contribution to the refinement of this clinical orientation. Jill and David Scharff have succeeded in gathering together and lucidly describing the fundamental concepts comprising object relations theory and its clinical application. The book is clear in its layout, its language, and its clinical illustrations. Itis a tribute to these authors that clarity of exposition has not led to oversimplificationnnn Jill and David Scharff have succeeded in gathering together and lucidly describing the fundamental concepts comprising object relations theory and its clinical application. The book is clear in its layout, its language, and its clinical illustrations. It is a tribute to these authors that clarity of exposition has not led to oversimplification In the last two decades, object relations theory has crossed the Atlantic and taken America by storm. The enthusiasm among American clinicians for the British School, however, has led to a host of problems related to the need to master a new terminology. The difficulty in assimilating object relations theory is one more example of the aphorism that America and England are two countries separated by a common language. The Scharffs have taken a giant step forward in assisting American therapists in their efforts to master the language of object relations theory. With this primer they have anticipated the reader's questions at every turn and have answered them in remarkably clear and readable prose. Terms like projective identification, holding, containment, and self are freed from obscurity and made entirely understandable to even the novice clinician. The authors then apply these concepts to a variety of clinical settings. The Scharffs are equally at home when doing individual, family, marital, group, or sex therapy. It is difficult to imagine any other team of authors who could provide such a comprehensive survey of the broad applications of object relations theory. Students in all the mental health professions will find this slim volume to be an extraordinarily useful introduction to the field.