Review of “New Developments in Self Psychology Practice,” Edited by P. Buirski and A. Kottler

This book is a gem for any psychoanalyst, therapist, or academic who is aware of recent developments in the field, but has not had the time to follow them. The book summarizes and integrates a vast amount of material and helps the reader to become well-informed about a number of developments and debates in the field of self psychology and intersubjective systems theory. These debates include the question of how self psychology and intersubjective systems theory can remain true to their core values while responding to the challenges of multiple theories that are germane to their cause—for example, complexity theory and attachment theory. A further debate refers to the key question of whether changes in relational knowing at the sub-symbolic level are sufficient to

bring about lasting change or whether articulation of these changes is required. These debates weave themselves through the chapters of the book and are addressed in various ways as the book itself attempts to push the envelope of self psychology and intersubjective systems theory, both in terms of the theories that they draw on and in terms of the applications that they explore.

The book is divided into four sections. The first section outlines theories that are currently influencing self psychology and intersubjective systems theory. The second section examines the application of self psychology to children; the third section examines the application of self psychology beyond the individual patient to, for example, groups; and the final section returns to issues of importance to the therapeutic process—for instance, shame, trauma, and the twinship transference.

Theories that are currently influencing self psychology and intersubjective systems theory include psychoanalytic complexity theory (Coburn), attachment theory, and theories of mentalization (Doctors). They also include the work of the Boston Change Proces