Book Notices

Brosig B, Gieler U (editors) (2004). Die Haut als psychische Hülle [The skin as a psychic envelope]. Gießen:  Psychosozial Verlag.

From the perspective of various psychoanalytic schools, the essays brought together in this volume address the importance of the early experience of developing relations between the psyche and the body and disturbances in these relations. The influence of skin infections on the development of early childhood relationships and internal objects, as well as the function of skin symptoms and injuries to the skin for defensive purposes, are also discussed. The theoretical reference point is Anzieu's concept of the function of the skin as a psychic envelope, as developed by the ‘skin ego’.

Brummer M, Enckell H (editors) (2005). Lasten ja nuorten psykoterapia [Psychotherapy of children and adolescents]. Helsinki:  WSOY.  263 p.

This textbook consists of basic papers on the psychotherapy of children and adolescents by experienced Finnish psychoanalysts. They describe problems in childhood and adolescence, and their treatment in a way that can benefit both professional people and parents.

Caldwell L (editor) (2005). Sex and sexuality. Winnicottian perspectives. London:  Karnac.  179 p.

The sixth volume in this Winnicott Studies Monograph Series, and the third one to be edited by Lesley Caldwell, this multi-authored book includes chapters on Winnicottian views about childhood sexuality (Giannakoulas), violence and creativity (McDougall) and ‘sex as a defence against sexuality’ (Bertolini and Neri), as well as other essays by Green, Scarfone, Taylor Robinson, Schaedel and Phillips.

Dammasch F, Metzger H-G (editors) (2006). Die Bedeutung des Vaters. Psychoanalytische Perspektiven [The importance of the father. Psychoanalytic perspectives]. Frankfurt/M.:  Brandes & Apsel.

From the starting point of a stronger emphasis on the importance of the father not only in the oedipal situation but also for early triangulation in contemporary psycho-analytic developmental ps