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Psychoanalytic Empathy by Stefano Bolognini is a gem of a book for those interested in deepening their understanding of the critical role of empathy in the therapeutic relationship. Beyond the stated purpose of the book, it is a wonderful review of the historical development of psychoanalytic theory. It is replete with clinical examples that are emotionally moving, demonstrating the work of a therapist who is willing to expose his mistakes or shortcomings in the service of helping us learn. This is a writer who walks the walk. His description of other theorists is respectful even when he thinks their concepts are limited or incorrect; he describes supervisees as his “colleagues,” and his patients, although described through an emotional lens of how difficult they may be, are presented in a way that the reader travels with the writer to come to appreciate their predicament. Alongside Bolognini, the reader comes to understand and empathize with the patient's disagreeable feelings and behavior.
The book is written in two sections. The first is a review of the development of the concept of empathy from Freud to date. This review is somewhat dense reading, but it is thorough in scope and a nice education for those wanting to refresh themselves with the range of contributions leading to the state of the art today. It is rich with references; though, for the English-speaking reader, a large number are in Italian and apparently not yet translated into English.
Bolognini notes that Freud's use of the word “empathy” was not translated as such by Strachey in the Standard Edition and therefore is underemphasized for the English reader. (Only three of Freud's twelve uses of the word are so translated.) In “On Beginning the Treatment,” (1913), Freud notes that a solid relationship between analyst and patient must precede interpretation. Bolognini quotes Freud's admonitions that the relationship should not be ignored: “It is certainly possible to forfeit this first success [an earl