The Impact of Narcissism: The Errant Therapist on a Chaotic Quest / Edition 1

by Peter L. Giovacchini

Overview

While many recent advances in dynamic psychotherapy are clinically relevant, others represent change for its own sake, offer little clinical data to support their theoretical constructs, and are primarily motivated by therapists' need to enhance themselves. Narcissism plays an increasingly important role as a defensive adaptation and a characterological trait in the majority of patients seen today. It is a powerful force that often dominates treatment. Focusing on the interplay of narcissism and countertransference, Dr. Giovacchini demonstrates with numerous clinical examples how the intrapsychic focus is deepened when explored in this context. His frank discussion of transference-countertransference feelings enriches clinical vistas and enables therapists to be more creative and autonomous.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765702340
Publisher:	Aronson, Jason Inc.
Publication date:	12/01/2000
Pages:	324
Product dimensions:	6.42(w) x 9.26(h) x 1.27(d)

About the Author

Peter L. Giovacchini, M.D., is Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine. He is a training and supervising analyst and founder of the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies in Chicago. Dr. Giovacchini has published more than 200 papers and 25 books. He is in the private practice of psychoanalysis in Chicago.

Table of Contents

	Preface	ix
1.	The Decline and Resurrection of the Intrapsychic Focus	1
	The Golden Era of Psychoanalysis and Societal Factors	6
	Rigidity of the Classical Position: Changing Cultural Scene and the Clinician's Dilemma	7
	Multiple Perspectives and Mental Phenomena	10
	Conflict about and Resistance to the Intrapsychic Focus	11
2.	The Many Faces of the Errant Therapist on a Quixotic Quest	19
	New Directions and Changes	23
	Philosophers at the Gate	28
3.	The New Faces	35
	Intersubjectivity: Old Wine in Murky Bottles	37
	Self Psychology: The Narcissistic Pinnacle	53
	The Relational Approach--Open Vistas	78
	Conclusions	87
4.	Narcissistic Investments and Clinical Dividends	93
	The Two Analyses of Mrs. A.	95
	Narcissism: Its Extent and Variability	111
	Narcissistic Imbalance and Fusion	122
5.	Narcissism and Countertransference	145
	Countertransference, Benign and Malignant	148
	Countertransference, the Self Representation, and the Professional Ego-Ideal	160
	Countertransference and Interminable Therapy: Technical and Superego Problems	197
	Countertransference and the Silent Patient	207
	Countertransference and the Superego	222
6.	Structural and Dynamic Aspects of the Therapeutic Process	229
	The Self-Observing Function and Psychic Structure	233
	Factitious Therapeutic Settings and Goals	235
	Painful Regressed States and Extensions of Technical Perspectives	242
	The Observational Platform	259
	The Therapeutic Venue: The Transitional Space	264
7.	Degrees of Narcissism and Creativity	273
	The Therapeutic Journey	275
	Narcissistic Need to Create Structure	278
	Psychic Birth and Narcissistic Involvement: Shaw's Plays	281
	References	309
	Index	319

Editorial Reviews

Dr. Giovacchini belongs to the group of theoreticians and practitioners who have roamed freely in the realms of object relations but have never strayed away from considering intrapsychic conflict. With plenty of examples, this master clinician illustrates how he becomes a catalyst in the journey to health of patients with severe character disorder. He shows us how he becomes a transitional object for such patients, and how he and the patient render horrible conflicts harmless by 'playing' with them in the transitional space. Over many decades, I have learned from Dr. Peter Giovacchini's contributions to our field, and this book magnificently continues that trend.

Vamik D. Volkan

With the wisdom of his lifelong experience as a psychoanalyst and psychotherapist, Giovacchini has never abandoned his pursuit of knowledge. He takes us on a masterful guided tour of the changes that psychoanalysis has undergone in recent years. His eyes are open to all possibilities and every variety of interest, and he considers clinical cases on which to base hypotheses and build theory. The impact of narcissism and its interplay with countertransference are central to the 'errant therapist's chaotic quest.' To repair this chaos and reduce our anxiety in confronting it, the author provides us with the lucid exposition of a genuinely penetrating mind. His insight will be inspiring to all mental health professionals.

Renata Gaddini

The central theme of this book, amply illustrated by clinical examples, is the importance of an intrapsychic perspective and the interplay of narcissism and countertransference. Dr. Giovacchini argues that clinicians must put intrapsychic processes, unconscious motivation, and transference projections in the forefront of their work. Presenting his views on other matters as well, the author skillfully deals with schools and fads that put old wine in murky bottles using new and fanciful words to say little or nothing, or in any case nothing new. Giovacchini's debunking, emperor's clothes approach makes a real contribution that should stimulate constructive controversy. He supports both his convictions and his doubts with rich clinical material.

John S. Kafka

Dr. Giovacchini belongs to the group of theoreticians and practitioners who have roamed freely in the realms of object relations but have never strayed away from considering intrapsychic conflict. With plenty of examples, this master clinician illustrates how he becomes a catalyst in the journey to health of patients with severe character disorder. He shows us how he becomes a transitional object for such patients, and how he and the patient render horrible conflicts harmless by 'playing' with them in the transitional space. Over many decades, I have learned from Dr. Peter Giovacchini's contributions to our field, and this book magnificently continues that trend.

Vamik D. Volkan M.D.

Giovacchini (psychiatry, emeritus, U. of Illinois College of Medicine) argues that many recent advances in dynamic psychotherapy represent change for its own sake. These often provide insufficient clinical data to support their theoretical constructs and are primarily motivated by therapists' need to enhance themselves. In particular, Giovacchini claims that neither self psychology nor intersubjectivity represent new paradigms; rather, they introduce neologisms designed to cover up their lack of originality. He credits most of the recent progress in psychotherapeutic technique to an expansion of the understanding of the transference-countertransference relationship within an object relations perspective. He thus encourages a return to an intrapsychic focus with an increased recognition of how the narcissistic aspects of the therapist's personality are involved in the therapeutic process. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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