The Analytic Attitude

Schafer, Roy

ISBN 10: 0465002684 / ISBN 13: 9780465002689

Published by Basic Books, 1983

The book is in good condition with all pages and cover intact, including the dust jacket if originally issued. The spine may show light wear. Pages may contain some notes or highlighting, and there might be a "From the library of" label. Boxed set packaging, shrink wrap, or included media like CDs may be missing. Seller Inventory # BSM.10GRH

Synopsis:

Brilliant, innovative, original: these words describe the writing of Roy Schafer, one of Americas most distinguished psychoanalysts. For a decade Schafer has been trying to free analysis from the rigid, mechanistic thinking of the nineteenth century. In this book, he moves beyond the much-discussed concepts of action language to explore the narrative structure of the analytic process. }Brilliant, innovative, original: these words describe the writing of Roy Schafer, one of Americas most distinguished psychoanalysts. For a decade Schafer has been trying to free analysis from the rigid, mechanistic thinking of the nineteenth century. In this book, he moves beyond the much-discussed concepts of action language to explore the narrative structure of the analytic process.Exploring the mind of the analyst at work as it is evidenced in the analysts empathy, Schafer stresses the need to establish an atmosphere of safety in relation to the dangers the patient perceives when facing the possibility of insight and personal change. In his retelling of the concepts of transference and resistance, Schafer emphasizes what is progressive, affirmative, and new in the experience, along with what has been traditionally emphasized as the regressive, negative, and repetitious. Interpretation and reconstruction of the past, two of the most essential activities of the analytic process, receive original and fascinating treatment as Schafer explores their narrative features and shows how they are used to develop an account of the past and the present that helps to construct a coherent life history and the basis for personal improvement.Throughout, the emphasis is on the analysand as agent or actor, as someone who participates fully, unconsciously as well as consciously, in the construction of symptoms, character makeup, danger situations, conflicts, and repetitions of every kind. This book, bringing together a decade of writing and research, offers the reader a fresh, deeply felt understanding of the analytic process. }

Review: "In this truly excellent and unusual book Schafer shares his wide clinical experience as he unpacks the meaning of the complex concept called therapist neutrality....I am sure that any psychotherapist of whatever persuasion or discipline who reads this book open-mindedly will do better therapy than before."--Merton M. Gill

-In this truly excellent and unusual book Schafer shares his wide clinical experience as he unpacks the meaning of the complex concept called therapist neutrality....I am sure that any psychotherapist of whatever persuasion or discipline who reads this book open-mindedly will do better therapy than before.---Merton M. Gill

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Analytic Attitude
Publisher: Basic Books
Publication Date: 1983
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: good