This book, a collection of individual contributions edited by Matthias Elzer and Alf Gerlach, is based on ongoing lectures held since 1997 by a group of German psychoanalysts at the Shanghai Mental Health Centre. It is intended for practitioners who are starting to work psychoanalytically. Without setting a bias towards any theoretical school, the authors offer a comprehensive overview of the basic concepts of analytical thinking. The volume serves as an excellent compendium on psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy, especially suitable for teaching and studying.