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This is an excellent book which summarizes the contributions of psychoanalysts to the theory and practice of social work. It contains so many valuable clinical discussions of subjects not easily dealt with that it would seem best in a brief review to summarize the individual chapters.
Lawrence S. Kubie and Henry Alden Bunker start the book well with a discussion of the theoretical concepts of unconscious psychology that play a role in social work. Samuel Klein's chapter on the ego and its functions is outstandingly clear and brings together early research and more recent contributions. His discussion of defense mechanisms is excellent.
David Beres discusses object relationship including transference in a way that will have real meaning to caseworkers who have been confused regarding their use of relationship therapy and their dealing with transference situations. Adelaide M. Johnson, in her usual clear manner, discusses the unconscious aspects of the parent-child relationship, particularly the need in the parent to keep the child in a state of conflict to gratify unconscious needs in the parent. This theory elaborated by her and S. A. Szurek has stimulated a good deal of research. It may be well at this point to emphasize the fact that this approach to the treatment of delinquents must be done by analytically trained therapists or under the close supervision of an analyst.
Peter Neubauer's article on the family agency is sparkling and has many illustrations of clinical material which family agency workers and psychiatric consultants will find valuable. Abraham Fabian's discussion of psychoanalytic contributions to child guidance work is excellent and strikes boldly at the key problems. Fabian has a capacity to be direct and forceful and yet not attacking. Lillian Kaplan's chapter on foster home placement contains useful suggestions regarding child placement but does not emphasize the role of the unconscious as much as one would like. The same may be said o