Contemporary Psychoanalysis. XIX, 1983: Some Implications of Self Psychology. Howard B. Levine. Pp. 153-171.

Levine examines self psychology in light of its implications for the practice of dynamic psychotherapy. The selfobject concept, selfobject transferences, and empathy

are explored. People and things that one might use as extensions of the self, for the purpose of maintaining a psychological equilibrium, are designated as selfobjects. The need for and defenses against relatedness to selfobjects constitutes a major source of psychopathology. In psychotherapy, two types of selfobject transference arise. The idealizing transference is one in which the therapist is seen as a source of tension regulation. "An important function then of the therapist in the mirroring transference is to shore up and reflect the patients' perceptions of their selves so that they can have assistance in the development of a sense of conviction that what they perceive about themselves is in fact so." Because of these transferences a special relationship to the patient must be provided in empathic appreciation of the patient's selfobject needs. In conclusion, Levine identifies three major contributions of self psychology to the theory and practice of psychoanalysis: (1) the formulation of the selfobject; (2) the development of a pertinent clinical language; (3) the understanding of narcissistic transferences.