Individual Psychotherapy and the Science of Psychodynamics

Individual Psychotherapy and the Science of Psychodynamics present an extensive examination of the basic principles of dynamic psychotherapy. It discusses the concept of constructive aggression. It addresses the analysis of expressive and defensive mechanisms. Some of the topics covered in the book are the therapeutic effects from history taking; common syndromes of sexual problems in women; qualities needed by a therapists; characteristics of unconscious communication; common syndromes of problems of masculinity in men; evolution and analysis of Oedipus complex; and Koch's postulates in psychodynamics. The passive defenses against aggression and the link with depression are fully covered. An in-depth account of the meaning of paranoid feelings is provided. The evaluation of the oedipal depression in men and women are completely presented. A chapter is devoted to the identification of transference neurosis. Another section focuses on the origin of human aggression. The analysis of phobic anxiety, anorexia nervosa, and hypochondriasis are briefly covered. The book can provide useful information to psychologists, therapists, students, and researchers.

1. Psychotherapy in Everyday Life The Economics Student2. Inner Mechanisms in Everyday Life Nine Stories The Spoilt Son The Anthropologist and the Cat Upsetting the Sugar The Franciscans in the Middle Ages Sour Grapes Roberta in Hospital The Social Worker and her Father The Anatomy Viva The Snake and the Wasp Discussion Expressive and Defensive Mechanisms The Return of the Repressed Guilt and Concern Preliminary Summary The Application of these Concepts to Symptoms Depreciation or Rejection of What is Desired Unconscious Mechanisms and Feelings Self-Defeating and Self-Destructive Mechanisms The Triangle of Conflict The Effect on the Environment; Vicious Circles; Conjoint Therapy Summary3. Unconscious Communication An Example of Association Association and Emotional Significance Unconscious and Preconscious Free Association in Psychotherapy Association and Communication Unconscious Communication in Everyday Life - Sandra and the Puppies The Neurological Patient Rapport and its Use in Psychotherapy The Here-and-Now; Transference The Interior Decorator The Girl Afraid of Breakdown The Military Policeman The Characteristics of Unconscious Communication4. Elementary, though not Necessarily Easy, Psychotherapy Recapitulation Qualities Needed by a Therapist The Geologist The Question of Advice The Influence of the Past The Question of Therapeutic Effects5. Elementary Psychotherapy Continued: Symptoms, Precipitating Factors, and Psychiatric Consultation Therapeutic Effects from History-Taking: The Drama Student The Adopted Son The Farmer's Daughter The Daughter with a Stroke Retrospect of Clinical Examples6. A Note on the Observations of Psychoanalysis7. Common Syndromes I: Sexual Problems in Women The Economics Student (Contd.) Mixed Feelings about Men The Director's Daughter Background and Complaints Anger with Men and with the Origin of Symptoms Oedipal Feelings Primitive Feelings Envy of Men The Pilot's Wife8. Common Syndromes II: Problems of Masculinity in Men The Concert-Goer The Dental Patient The Articled Accountant The Minicab Driver Discussion The Indian Scientist Further Discussion The Oedipus Myth and the Male Oedipus Complex 'Castration' Weak Fathers Dead or Absent Fathers The Relation with the Mother The Oedipus Complex and Evolution Love and Longing for the Father The Son in Mourning Conclusion9. The Relation with the Therapist: 'Transference' Recapitulation History of Transference The Falling Social Worker - Two Different Kinds of Transference The Contralto: A Question of Trust The Mother of Four: Transference in the Initial Interview The Carpenter's Daughter: Transference in the Early Stages of Therapy Homosexual Transference The Son in Mourning (Contd.): Love of a Male Patient for a Male Therapist10. The Dialog of Psychotherapy and the Two Triangles The Basic Principles of Dynamic Psychotherapy The Interior Decorator (Contd.), Illustrating Fluctuations in Rapport The Question of Reassurance The Interior Decorator (Contd.) 'Defense Should be Interpreted Before Impulse' The Interior Decorator (Contd.