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An analytic theoretician can leave us no richer legacy than a forthright statement of his theory of cure. How Does Analysis Cure? is just such a testament: concise, unflinching, and frank about the atmospheric realities that are often primly left to gossip. Kohut has lined up his teachings in bright sunlight for any contest, disdaining to make them seem all things to all men. And since Kohut was primarily interested in treatment rather than systems, every practitioner will recognize his reasons, and will find a fresh chance to examine the ultimate question in the title.
Additionally, by responding to various understandings and misunderstandings, Kohut lets us have another go at self psychology, and another chance to place it in relation to current Freudian theory. Although this book presumes familiarity with Kohut's theory of the mind, it may be the best introduction just because it is not encumbered with schematic detail, and because it proceeds by informal discussion of treatment.
Kohut's well-known belief is that psychological illness is an aborted effort to build a coherent structure of usable ambitions and ideals. To be usable, these “structures” must be suited to inborn