Lessons in Psychoanalysis: Psychopathology and Clinical Psychoanalysis for Trainee Analysts By Franco De Masi. New York:  Karnac Books, 2022,  168 pp.

Made for the trainee analyst, Lessons in Psychoanalysis: Psychopathology and Clinical Psychoanalysis for Trainee Analysts by Franco De Masi is a unique contribution. There is already quite a voluminous literature1 that comprehensively covers many of the topics in De Masi’s book. So, how does one add to it without almost inevitably overlapping with others?

Unlike previous books covering similar ground and that take an academic approach in reviewing what psychoanalysis is as a discipline, Lessons in Psychoanalysis, written in the voice of the author, reflects De Masi’s personal take on different concepts in psychoanalysis–-clinical and theoretical alike. In fact, the author presents a very subjective account of what psychoanalysis is for him. The emphasis on the subjective starts with the opening paragraphs of the book and continues through the author’s personalized journey through various psychoanalytic concepts.

De Masi speaks with authority–-authority developed through years of clinical experience–-on subjects that many readers will find useful: basic tenets of psychoanalysis, diagnostic taxonomy, clinical and technical strategies, and the history of psychoanalysis. Theoretical concepts, psychoanalytic history and clinical experience crystallize in numerous observations, insights, and unique theoretical integrations. Anyone interested in seeing

how diverse psychoanalytic theories coexist and enrich each other is invited to read this b