Twenty First Century Psychoanalysis

This book articulates a possible future for Lacan and psychoanalysis, through an exploration of the historical trajectory of psychoanalysis and a survey of the ways Lacanian psychoanalysis offers a unique response to the pressing clinical demands.

If psychoanalysis will survive in the twenty-first century, this book's wager is that it will be Lacanian psychoanalysis. Today, the survival of psychoanalysis is in question. Even Jacques Lacan himself, at the peak of his influence when psychoanalysis was a dominant discourse, did not believe that psychoanalysis would triumph and merely posed questions about the survival of psychoanalysis, when future subjects would want something else. This book articulates a possible future for Lacan and psychoanalysis, through an exploration of the historical trajectory of psychoanalysis and a survey of the ways Lacanian psychoanalysis offers a unique response to the pressing clinical demands of our time. Much of the book stages this through explications of specific ways Lacanian concepts have developed as a reading of the clinical - as well as the broader psychic and social - phenomena of our moment in history.

This book places Freud’s theory of the reality principle in relation to both everyday experience and global issues of the 21st century and illustrates how it may be practically applied. Arguing against more critical recent accounts of Freud’s science, the author seeks to show how one might apply the scientific method to everyday life. It demonstrates how Freud contributes to a better understanding of reason and how this in turn can be used to unravel the role of unreason in both politics and personal relationships. Including critical examinations of topics such as Narcissism, Victimhood and Empathy, this engaging reappraisal of Freud’s relevance to contemporary life offers fresh insights for psychology, psychoanalysis and cultural theory; as well as practical guidance for a general reader.

Mothers in the twenty-first century confront us, both in clinical practice and in theory, with fascinating challenges that to some extent subvert the traditional maternal ideal: the motherhood of single women, motherhood in which the mother-child relationship seems minimal (in the case of very busy working mothers), teenage motherhood in which there is no true awareness of the maternal function, motherhood in couples of homosexual women, men who take upon themselves the maternal function (men-mothers), complex motherhood by virtue of the multiple variants that have nowadays become possible thanks to new reproductive techniques, shared motherhood, surrogate motherhood, sublimated motherhood, perverse motherhood. Psycho-history, the accumulation and variety of psychoanalytic theories of femininity and motherhood, the contribution of gender studies, cross-disciplinary research, and listening to what our patients have to say - all this has yielded, in the past few decades, much controversial data that challenges orthodox classical thinking with respect to the role and function of women as mothers.

This book explores the phases of Jacques Lacan's career and examines the past, present, and future of psychoanalysis.

Praise for Twenty-First Century Psychotherapies "Jay Lebow has done a masterful job in presenting a lucid overview of the leading theories of psychotherapy, strategies of change, and intervention techniques at the forefront of the field. This outstanding volume is a must-read for seasoned clinicians and trainees alike." —Froma Walsh, Mose & Sylvia Firestone Professor in the School of Social Service Administration, Professor of Psychiatry in the Pritzker School of Medicine, and Codirector of Center for Family Health, The University of Chicago "This book provides a well-written, up-to-date survey of the theories and practices of psychotherapy that have stood the test of time and seem to be here to stay. A great strength is the chapter authors' inclusion of the evidence for each approach, since Evidence-Based Practice truly is a hallmark of the twenty-first century. This outstanding resource will enable readers to both understand and implement therapy." —Ronald F. Levant, EdD, ABPP, Dean and Professor of Psychology, University of Akron, and 2005 President, American Psychological Association "Twenty-First Century Psychotherapies offers a remarkably comprehensive, up-to-date, and scholarly examination of the dominant approaches to therapy. Written by leading and articulate experts in each intervention model, this book draws together the most forward-thinking perspectives in individual, group, and couples/family therapy. This will be a treasured reference to novice and experienced clinicians alike, and I expect it to be a much-consulted companion to professionals for many years to come." —Nadine J. Kaslow, PhD, ABPP, Professor and Chief Psychologist, Emory University School of Medicine at Grady Health System Twenty-First Century Psychotherapies provides thorough coverage of the methods of psychotherapy now held in the highest regard, both for the quality of the research evidence behind them and for their effectiveness with a variety of treatment populations and treatment settings.

What can be gained from a dialogue between psychoanalysis and religion? Freud described religion as the universal obsessional neurosis, and uncompromisingly rejected it in favour of "science." Ever since, there has been the assumption that psychoanalysts are hostile to religion. Yet, from the beginning, individual analysts have questioned Freud's blanket rejection of religion. In this book, David Black brings together contributors from a wide range of schools and movements to discuss the issues. They bring a fresh perspective to the subject of religion and psychoanalysis, answering vital questions such as: How do religious stories carry (or distort) psychological truth? How do religions 'work', psychologically? What is the nature of religious experience? Are there parallels between psychoanalysis and particular religious traditions? Psychoanalysis and Religion in the 21st Century will be of great interest to psychoanalysts, psychoanalytic therapists, psychodynamic counsellors, and anyone interested in the issues surrounding psychoanalysis, religion, theology and spirituality.

This book articulates a possible future for Lacan and psychoanalysis, through an exploration of the historical trajectory of psychoanalysis and a survey of the ways Lacanian psychoanalysis offers a unique response to the pressing clinical demands.