Narrative and Meaning examines the role of both in contemporary psychoanalytic practice, bringing together a distinguished group of contributors from across the intersubjective, relational, and interpersonal schools of psychoanalytic thought.

The contributions propose that narratives or stories in a variety of non-verbal and verbal forms are the foundation of mind, creativity, and the clinical dialogue. From the beginning of life, human experience gains expression through the integration of perception, cognition, memory and affect into mini or complex narratives. This core proposal is illustrated in chapters referencing creativity, psychoanalytic process, gesture, and sensory-motor activity, dreams, music, conflicting narratives in couples, imaginative stories of adopted children, identity, and individuality.

Including a major revision in theory based upon an expanded definition of narrative, this book is an essential read for any contemporary psychoanalyst wishing to use narrative in their practice. Featuring essential theory and a wealth of practical clinical material, Narrative and Meaning will appeal greatly to both psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists.

About the Author

Joseph D. Lichtenberg, MD, is Editor-in-Chief of Psychoanalytic Inquiry, Director Emeritus of the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, past President of the International Council for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology, and a member of the Program Committee of the American Psychoanalytic Association.

Frank M. Lachmann, PhD, is a founding faculty member of the Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity, Training and Supervising Analyst, Postgraduate Center for Mental Health and Clinical Assistant Professor at the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis.

James L. Fosshage, PhD, is Founding President, International Association for Psychoanalytic Self Psychology (IAPSP); Co-Founder, Board Director and Faculty, National Institute for the Psychotherapies; Founding Faculty, Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity; Clinical Professor of Psychology, New York University Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. His website is www.jamesfosshage.net.

Reviews

"This book is surely among the most important and innovative contributions to psychoanalysis this year. The chapters range in topic, but share in common a focus on the capacity of narrative in whatever form to create a more holistic lived experience from infancy on, for the individual, for the couple, and for the therapeutic dyad. The contributions are wonderfully diverse, beginning with the clinical situation, and moving on to encompass such subjects as music as narrative; the dream narrative; the narrative of the adoptee; the broader context from which clinical narratives emerge; types of clinical narrative; and the science-based narrative. The beginning and ending chapters by Joe Lichtenberg are superb. I would love to describe and elaborate on the multiple merits of each, but must be content with recommending as strongly as I can: do not miss this significant collection!"-Estelle Shane, training and supervising analyst and faculty at ICP and NCP; founding member, Past president and board member of ICP; adjunct faculty, UCLA School of Medicine.

Book Information
ISBN 9781138638006
Author Joseph D. Lichtenberg
Format Hardback
Page Count 246
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 630g