Psycho-Analytical Notes on Coué's Method of Self-Mastery1

In the course of the last few years we have been witnesses of the enthusiastic reception which has been accorded to a new therapeutic method, by means of which it is alleged that any and every person can become able to free himself by his own efforts, not only from ill-health, but from ethical shortcomings and from the effects of adverse circumstances. A promise of this kind would probably have found a great number of enthusiastic adherents at any time. But the devastating mental effects of the Great War rendered people more than ever prepared to accept with faith and gratitude a new message of salvation. The enormous number of people to whom the war had brought suffering in one form or another helped to throng the halls in which the doctrine of 'self-mastery' was expounded. The method was so simple that every person, no matter what his mental capacity was, could apply it after he had received a few instructions. Astonishing results were reported; and what aroused especial interest were accounts of the cure of organic diseases by this new mode of auto-suggestion.

On the other hand voices were raised in adverse criticism; but these did not shake the faith of Coué's supporters. As we might imagine, they came for the most part from the camp of academic medicine. Three main objections to Coué and his school were brought forward by them.

In the first place it was argued that the healing of organic disease by means of self-mastery was an impossibility; and that reports of such successes could only be due to imperfect observation or want of critical reflection. In the second place, his system of 'group-therapy' was attacked on the grounds that it took no account of the individual as a separate case and did not indeed trouble to make a preliminary examination of him. It was pointed out that it was a gross error, for instance, to treat a mental disorder, a pulmonary tuberculosis, an