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In editing the book of psychiatric treatment of adolescents, Esman has attempted the ambitious task of establishing an anthology of papers surveying the range of psychotherapies currently available for adolescents. The editor, a highly esteemed psychoanalyst, has chosen psychoanalytic developmental psychology as the basic frame of reference for the selection of the most representative and helpful papers in the field. The selection of psychoanalytic orientation to exhibit the theoretical underpinning of therapeutic efforts is justified as many non-analytic treatment approaches (with the exception of behaviour therapy) appear to flow from this primary source. The book consists of seven parts addressing the range of treatment modalities from psychoanalytic psychotherapy to residential, family, group and behaviour therapy. However, it is the psychoanalytic chapters of the book which are the primary focus of this review.
The pioneering work of August Aichhorn, applying the psychoanalytic insights to delinquent youths, is a fitting introductory chapter to the book. In reading this chapter, the reader is impressed by Aichhorn's keen and early insight in the role of ego development, pre-genital factors in adolescent psychopathology and the importance of the establishment of a working alliance which was called 'positive transference' by Aichhorn. Aichhorn's emphasis on the special characteristics of the ego of the dissocial adolescent has made a visible impact on the later investigators, such as Ekstein and Eissler, whose work comprises several chapters of the present volume.
The stimulating chapter by Eissler provides powerful and constant nutrient for the reader by addressing a broad spectrum of topics ranging from an ideal model for psychotherapy to creativity. Eissler's idealized model recommends that the therapist synthesize four tehniques to address the range of changing psychopathology in adolescents. The optimal therapeutic posture in the delinquent phase is fo