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In The Analysis of the Self, Kohut (1971) asked how one could determine whether a set of theories and the specific form of therapeutic management flowing from them are scientific or inspirational. He answered by proposing three additional questions:
(1) Do we have a systematical theoretical grasp of the processes involved in therapy? (2) Can the treatment method be communicated to others, i.e., can it be learned (and ultimately practiced) without the presence of its originator? And (3), most importantly: Does the treatment method remain successful after the death of its creator? (1971, p. 223n)
More than a decade since Kohut's death, the volume of writing in the field of self psychology continues to expand, testifying to the stimulating challenge of his theories not only to mental health professionals in all disciplines but to those in the humanities as well. The latest contribution, Psychotherapy After Kohut: A Textbook of Self Psychology by Ronald R. Lee and J. Colby Martin, who are psychologists trained in the field of pastoral counseling and steeped in the literature of self psychology, is a welcome arrival.
Their book arose from experience in teaching self psychology to students of psychotherapy at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. The Analysis of the Self, Kohut's first book, was difficult and confusing to some of their students. They turned to White and Weiner's (1986) book, The Theory and