Psychotherapy of Neurotic Character

This book presents for the first time an approach to psychotherapy consistent with the author'a previous work, Neurotic Styles. His keenness of observation and profound clinical wisdom are once again in evidence, as he brings to bear his brilliant ideas about neurotic character on the actual conduct of psychotherapy. The therapeutic material, he contends, consists not merely of what the patient provides but of the patient. Pay attention not only to the words, he says, but also to the speaker. The author's highly original view of the dynamics of neurosis emphasizes subjective experience and revises classical conflict theory. The therapist's goal is to introduce the patient to himself and thus to end the self-estrangement that characterizes neurosis. In a series of chapters, illustrated with clinical vignettes, he elaborates this view, exploring such topics as the process of change, the psychology of "raising consciousness", and the therapeutic relationship.