Contemporary Psychoanalysis in a Nutshell: A Review of The Relational Revolution in Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, by Steven Kuchuck (2021),  Confer Books: London,  198 pages.

Have you been wishing for a volume that provides a detailed overview of Relational psychoanalysis and clearly and concisely explains all the important aspects of it? Have you wondered where you might easily locate the theories and concepts that comprise Relational psychoanalysis, and the major Relational authors and theorists? I certainly have! Well, wish and wonder no longer. That book has been written by Steven Kuchuck. Groundbreaking, this eminently useful volume is not only a step-by-step guide to Relational psychoanalysis; it also tells the story of the development of contemporary psychoanalysis.

The most significant talent displayed in the pages of this book is in the succinctness and clarity of writing. In this neat, compact package, Kuchuck achieves the feat of writing with enough simplicity for those who are new to Relational psychoanalysis to understand, and with enough complexity for those who are already well-versed in the theory to be stimulated and challenged. It is a book that appeals to a wide cross-section of psychoanalysts. Kuchuck is adept at taking a complex piece of theory and simplifying it enough so that it can be easily taken in and digested, while leaving just enough to chew on, should one

choose to. The book also includes extensive primary source material and the theorists referenced constitute a compendium for further research and study.

Turn, Turn, Turn

Is there a Relational theory or a Relational school? Mannie Ghent , considered one of the founders of the relational turn, said “There is no such thing as a relational theory, but there is such a thing as a relational point of view, a relational way of thinking, a relational sensibility, and we believe that it is this broad outlook that underpins the sea change that many of us recognize as breathing fresh life into our field” (p. 7). Does that st