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The major part of this volume consists of symposium papers presented at the 1955 meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. Each paper concentrates on the therapeutic procedures characteristic
of a particular setting, such as private practice, boarding school, residential treatment, outpatient and inpatient hospital clinic, and others. These discussions are rounded out by a recorded interview with an older adolescent, and a 'schoolmaster's' thoughts on the topic of the book. A bibliography and index are included.
This reviewer found Dr. Irene Josselyn's paper on private practice of particular interest. It reflects a seasoned practitioner's technique with the implicit dynamics vividly conveyed through several clinical vignettes. Doctors Herbert I. Harris and Felix P. Heald describe a unique clinic setting in Boston which confines its attention exclusively to the adolescent age group; for this group it operates as a 'general practice clinic. The Unit's policy is to focus on the person, and to attempt to meet all his needs.' A psychoanalyst who is at the disposal of the physician keeps the relevant personality problems in focus. The operation of the clinic is well-documented by case illustrations. In view of the frequency with which physical symptoms accompany psychiatric disturbances in adolescence, this approach might well throw new light on some aspects of adolescent psychodynamics.
In the dearth of material on adolescent psychiatry this volume is a welcome summary of the diversified services in the field. The descriptions of the various 'settings' have practical usefulness; however, the analyst will be disappointed by the many generalizations which add little to our knowledge of adolescence. The 'strengthening of the ego' is an elusive concept which by no means suffices in guiding the therapist through the complexities of adolescent disturbances. This volume is a painful reminder of the fact that we still lack an integrated psychoanalytic theory o