A self psychological study of dehumanization in Eugene O'Neill'sThe Hairy Ape

Experiences of isolation, alienation, and self-fragmentation have been expressed by literary artists throughout this century. Many of the plays of Eugene O'Neill depict human suffering in these terms. Applying the constructs of self psychology, particularly those relating to selfobjects and the selfobject milieu, these experiences in O'Neill's plays can be described as shifts in self-cohesiveness. O'Neill'sThe Hairy Ape depicts a man with a fragile sense of self who suffers a disruption of the selfobject milieu which had sustained him. As a consequence of this change in his social embeddedness, the character Yank experiences a sense of fragmentation and ultimately feels that he does not belong to the human race. The play depicts in a powerful way the necessity of a selfobject milieu in sustaining one's sense of self.     

The Blancks' and Kohut's views of narcissism: Comparative analysis

The normal and pathological development of narcissism is reviewed from two different theoretical orientations. Presented are the ideas of Blanck and Blanck (ego psychology) and that of Kohut (self psychology). Included are clinical vignettes illustrative of the ego and self psychology approaches. A comparative analysis is drawn, highlighting the likenesses and differences with regard to theory and practice. Considered are the developmental stages and failures, as well as transference, resistance, and technique. The area of greatest contrast is noted in their theoretical formulations regarding the development of narcissism while the clinical approach to the treatment of narcissism is less striking     

Self psychologyand cognitive treatment: An integration

Although self psychology and cognitive treatment appear, on the surface, to represent diametrically-opposed models of treatment, they can be integrated in clinical social work treatment. A theoretical framework for this integration is presented. Adapting self psychology treatment through the use of cognitive techniques may allow clinicians to help clients with narcissistic disorders within the framework of shorter-term, less-intensive treatment which is increasingly required by programs and reimbursement sources.     

Perceptual deficits and self-esteem in adolescence

This paper attempts to conceptualize the dynamics of selfesteem in an adolescent suffering from a perceptual deficit. The interrelationship between the deficit and the development of self-esteem is discussed from two points of view, that of traditional ego psychology and that of the psychology of the self. In the case illustration given, the treatment methods were heavily influenced by the work of Heinz Kohut and by the insights provided by his psychology of the self.     

Parental abandonment: A unique form of loss and narcissistic injury

This paper presents an overview of the effects of parent loss, looking initially at the voluminous and significant research regarding institutionalized children, and children who have lost a parent by death> In contrast to the considerable literature and information about these child populations, less has been written regarding the abandoned child. Otto Kernberg's and Heinz Kohut's newer theories of the psychology of the self, and narcissistic personality disturbances are viewed as providing useful new insights about the abandoned child population. Two cases are presented, followed by application of Kohut's and Kernberg's treatment approaches. These newer treatment interventions offer more optimism for work with abandoned children, who are an ever increasing population.     

Exploring the Relations between “Soul” and “Role”: Learning from the Courage to Lead

In this article, the authors consider how participants in a year-long, transformative professional development program for public school leaders took up and/or ignored insights when they left the sanctity of the retreats and returned to work. The program, called the Courage to Lead, aims to help school leaders to reconnect their “soul” (an essential, inner self) with their “role” so that they can live and work with integrity. Drawing on insights from social practice theory and critical psychology, the authors present two case studies that show why ideas from the retreats were held tentatively in one case and embraced more fully in another. Based on the analysis of interviews with focal participants and participant observation during the professional development program, the authors found that to transfer core principles from the retreat to work, the participants needed their own personal motivations to do so as well as institutional roles that lent themselves to acting on their insights. This research contributes to our growing appreciation for the complex relations between the self and learning in social and cultural contexts.     

Self psychology and countertransference in the treatment of children

The issues of countertransference in the treatment of children have received far less attention than those arising in the treatment of adults. This paper attempts to begin to redress this imbalance. Some of the major countertransferences in work with children are addressed, and the perspective of self psychology is presented. In the conclusion some thoughts are offered regarding some of the narcissistic injuries therapists must confront in dealing with issues of countertransference.     

Creativity and the Self: A Self Psychological Approach to Art and Healing

This paper explores the contributions of Heinz Kohut and self psychology to the conceptualization of art and healing on an individual and cultural level. The roles of normative narcissistic development, selfobject experience, and empathy are emphasized in the formation and maintenance of creative expression. Crayton Rowe’s addition of the undifferentiated selfobject is also explored. The lives and work of legendary artists, as well as a case example from the ongoing clinical treatment of a creative professional, provide illustration.     

Kohut's tragic man: An example from “death of a salesman”

Willy Loman, the tragic hero of Miller'sDeath of a Salesman, powerfully illustrates self psychology principles governing profound deficits, shame, and the possibilities of self-restoration. When conditions of birth and upbringing are unsuited to establishment of a strong self structure, an adult is unable to maintain psychological equilibrium, most often experiencing profound shame as a consequence. Heinz Kohut's self psychology framework, and Andrew Morrison's definition of shame, are invoked to examine Willy's self, his increasing awareness of shame, and ultimately his choice of suicide. Willy Loman serves as a dramatic, if hypothetical, case study. Accurately described by self psychology, he is authentic to the lay audience; he reaffirms an inherent strength in self psychology theory, reducing the distance between theoretical appreciation and clinical application.     

Severe borderlines and self psychology

This paper will discuss work with a woman diagnosed as having borderline personality disorder because of classic symptoms of intense unstable affect, recurrent suicidality, self-mutilation, and primitive defensive organization. Once a selfobject transference tie was established, the borderline symptoms remitted. Discussion of this case will focus on the clinical application of concepts from the field of psychoanalytic self psychology, particularly the concepts of self-object functions and intersubjectivity, in work with patients diagnosed as borderline.     

The theories of Heinz Kohut and clinical social work practice

Indicated in this paper is the consonance of Heinz Kohut's psychoanalytic psychology of the self with the principles of clinical social work. The traditional values, precepts, and practices of social work were derived from a research of the literature written since 1889. The consistency of these two sets of ideas is further demonstrated in a case example. Unique contributions of social work are pointed up, and ways in which Kohut's theories add to the understanding of human personality and enrich clinical practice are elucidated.     

Mutual Values: Self Psychology, Intersubjectivity, and Social Work

This article explores a representative sample of the values which self psychology, intersubjectivity, and social work have in common. The mutual values chosen for consideration are: (1). The inherent worth of the human being (2). The uniqueness of the individual (3). Beginning where the client is; and (4). The centrality of the relationship in the clinical setting. The focus will be on the theories and methodologies which have emerged from these values in self psychology and intersubjectivity and their utility for clinical social work. The discussion of each value includes a clinical illustration from the author's practice in order to aid in the elucidation of the concepts presented.     

The Existential Side of Kohut's Tragic Man

This article explores the way in which Kohut's concept of Tragic Man functions as a response to criticisms of self psychology as proffering a partial, utopian, strife-denying theory of human development. After citing several representative critiques in this respect, I review the concept of Tragic Man as defined by Kohut, and then seek to deepen the clinical usefulness of this concept through a discussion of affects, empathy, and free association. A clinical vignette concludes the paper, through which some of these ideas find illustration.     

Orthodoxy and heresy in self psychology: A Heretic's perspective

This paper discusses a trend in self psychology toward the establishment of a somewhat rigid orthodoxy. The conceptual problems that such a stance raises, such as the role of empathy in the treatment process and the incompatibility that this presents with the current self psychological view of the etiology of psychopathology, are discussed. The relationship of self psychology to existential theory is highlighted and a more open stance is advocated regarding divergent theorizing within the model.     

Treatment of narcissistic and borderline disorders in marital therapy: Suggestions toward an enhanced therapeutic approach

This paper examines a psychodynamic model of marital therapy that has been found to be useful when one or both partners suffer from disorders of the self. The theories of Heinz Kohut and recent self psychologists give insight into ways of understanding and treating each partner's narcissistic vulnerabilities. Some specific aspects of borderline and narcissistic disorders are described and discussed within the context of a marital relationship. This method of marital therapy not only helps couples to learn how to be selfobjects for each other, but also may facilitate rebuilding of damaged structures of the self. A case example is provided along with a discussion of why certain specific therapeutic interventions were made.I have no hesitation in claiming that there is no mature love in which the love object is not also a selfobject. Or, to put this depth-psychological formulation into a psychosocial context: There is no love relationship without mutual, self-esteem enhancing, mirroring and idealization (Kohut, 1977, p. 122).     

Psychotherapy with Gay and Lesbian Families: Opportunities for Cultural Inclusion and Clinical Challenge

Many gay men and lesbians are making decisions to have children, either through pregnancy, adoption, or by blending their families. These families may seek psychotherapy for help with dynamic issues which confront all families from time to time. This article presents a context for clinicians to deepen their understanding of cultural and clinical aspects of gay and lesbian parenting. This context will be discussed through the application of concepts frm self psychology within the framework of narrative theory in order to validate gay and lesbian family experiences by through the creation and understanding of their family narratives.     

Integrative Symptom-Focused Dynamic Psychotherapy

The advent of the relational perspective in psychoanalytic theory has opened up exciting new prospects for integrative psychotherapy. My own integrative model draws on self psychology and attachment theory for ideas about development and treatment, but also posits the need for active techniques at times to help with troubling symptoms. In addition to using interventions from behavioral and cognitive behavioral traditions, my treatment approach has been evolving to include a variety of mindfulness based strategies. In this article I focus on interventions I use most often to help patients with two major domains: self regulation (which includes affect management and perspective on the self), and self-initiated behavior change. Case examples illustrating the interplay of symptom-focused work and more dynamic exploration are provided.     

Adolescent development: A view from self psychology

Self psychology does not have a distinctive developmental theory. This paper discusses some of the methodological problems related to the articulation of such a theory, and goes on to outline a theory of adolescent development that is consistent with the tenets of self psychology. The major points made are: Adolescence does not represent a recapitulation of prior phase of development, the sense of self cohesion is fundamental to a healthy sense of self, and the culmination of the adolescent process is the formation of a nuclear sense of self.private practice     

Understanding the Psychodynamics of Chronic Homelessness from a Self Psychological Perspective

Self psychology can help explain multiple meanings and experiences of being chronically homeless. While it is clear that homelessness is primarily caused by structural deficits and not individual characteristics, for people who are chronically homeless, this way of existence may have developed to serve a variety of coping, cohesive, and self-preserving functions as they have learned to survive and adapt to hostile environments. Through the use of self psychologically informed clinical practice, this paper explores the subject’s multiple meanings and experiences as well as the nuanced processes that led her to successfully attain permanent housing. The paper begins by discussing macro etiologies of homelessness, constructs in self psychology and strives to link the two in theory and practice by exploring one person’s life of chronic homelessness. The paper also explores ethical challenges as coercive elements factor into the case.     

Reading self‐help literature in Russia: governmentality,psychology and subjectivity

Self‐help has become a booming business over the past decades and an increasingly visible part of popular media culture worldwide. The paper analyzes the arrival and effects of this cultural technology in post‐Soviet Russia after more than seventy years of socialism. It examines how Russians are engaging with popular psychology self‐help as a technology of the self and how they are making it meaningful in their lives. Drawing on a set of one‐to‐one and focus group interviews conducted with self‐help readers, it examines how these individuals negotiate the new ethics and the normative models of personhood put forward by the self‐help genre. It argues that popular psychology has offered a new language for making sense of the self and the social world, and highlights how the readers critically engage with the normalizing power of popular psychology by drawing on a number of local historically sedimented discourses.