Toward a further definition of psychoanalytic psychotherapy

Abstract

A discussion of "Self Psychology and the Distinctiveness of Psychotherapy," by Arnold Goldberg, M.D. Arnold Goldberg's applications of self psychology to psychotherapy help conceptualize psychoanalytic psychotherapy, contribute to technique, and provide new goals. Self psychology is formulated in terms of an intrapsychic focus and other psychoanalytic considerations of clinical process, is consistent with advances in the psychoanalytic study of object relations, and advances the clinical theory of psychoanalysis. Two concepts of self psychology are discussed and illustrated: separate lines of development for object relations and object love, and a supraordinate position for self psychology. Goldberg's distinction between psychotherapy and psychoanalysis on the basis of their respective goals helps decide the choice of treatment. However, a formal distinction between the modalities does not lie in their goals but rather in the qualities of the treatment relationship and the nature of the treatment process.