Ego Psychology and Self Psychology in social work practice

Ego Psychology and Self Psychology are compared by examining how each theory would imply different treatment techniques. These differences are discussed at both a theoretical level and in terms of their applications to the same case. At the level of theory, Mahler's and Kohut's views are compared along five dimensions: definition of the problem, motivation, conflict, the nature of the therapeutic process, and the therapist's role in that process. At the level of technique, specific attention is paid to when the differences aid or impede the therapeutic process.