Confusing clinical standoffs, loyalty to self-destruction and abrupt terminations are challenging and under-examined problems for the modern psychoanalytic practitioner. The Danger of Change is a timely book that addresses the so-called resistant patient so many clinicians are familiar with.

Robert Waska blends theory based on Melanie Klein's classical stance with the more contemporary Freudian/Kleinian school, to demonstrate how to understand patients that are resistant to progress. Divided into four sections, this book covers:

• reluctant patients and the fight against change: caught between the paranoid and depressive world
• greed and the dangers of change
• interruptions to the process of change: loss, envy, and the death instinct
• working toward change in the face of overwhelming odds

Extensive and detailed clinical material is used to bring clarity to subjects including symbolism, conflict resolution, projective identification, the depressive and paranoid positions, change and trust.

The Danger of Change brings hope and clarity to cases involving patients who experience progress as a threat to their emotional wellbeing. It will be of great interest to all practising psychoanalysts, as well as those studying psychoanalytic theory and practice.

About the Author

Robert Waska is a Psychoanalyst and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist in private practice in San Francisco and Marin County. He is author of several books, including Projective Identification in the Clinical Setting and Real People, Real Problems, Real Solutions.

Reviews

"...I have found this book to be immensely interesting and informative... It explains much of what we see in our consultation rooms and why a group of individuals leaves prematurely and angrily. The concepts Waska utilizes and explains can provide us insight into how to better work with this challenging group of individuals."- Charles Most, Psychologist-Psychoanalyst, APA Division 39 Newsletter, Winter Issue 2009

Book Information
ISBN 9780415385855
Author Robert Waska
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 440g