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In Dynamics of Development and the Therapeutic Process, Richard Lasky has presented us with an exceptionally good introduction to psychoanalytic theory, technique and practice grounded in mainstream classical theory. But the work has a number of significant orientations in addition to its classical grounding. It brings out and utilises the developmental orientation of psychoanalysis in a fresh exposition of the main elements of classical theory within a developmental framework. Similarly, the discussion of technique is strongly rooted in clinical process. The clinical process is, as it were, always kept in view in the exposition of the theory and practice of technique. The four case histories that conclude the work clinch this rewarding thematic organisation of the material. In this way, the main sections of the work 'The Dynamics of Development', 'The Therapeutic Process' and 'Development of the Therapeutic Process' are nicely tied together.
The book is intended as a textbook for candidates, and it serves this purpose well. However, it is also of interest to practitioners, as well as for the general reader seeking an understanding of mainstream psychoanalysis. It is especially recommended, by this reviewer, to those psychoanalysts who take the view that Freud's theory and technical recommendations have now been more or less superseded by modern innovations. Lasky reminds us of the persistent applicability of Freud's ideas concerning psychosexual development, the libidinal stages, the psychogenesis of psychic structure, transference, resistance, interpretation and countertransference.
One important strength of the book, a strength that makes it useful to the beginner in psychoanalysis as well as to the seasoned practitioner, is the way in which Lasky conducts the discussion of theory and technique in constant reference to the processes of development and of clinical analysis. He does not leave the reader to guess at or infer the relevance of the theoretical