Authenticity in the Psychoanalytic Encounter

'Irma Brenman Pick, among the most respected and admired analysts in the British Society, is particularly known, and her work particularly valued, for her emotional acuity, her close and sensitive attention to what goes on within the analytic couple. The papers in this book vividly illustrate her ability to keep in mind the pressures, impulses and defences of both partners in the analytic couple and the way these play out in the analytic process, sometimes interfereing with it. Brenman-Pick has become a valued teacher internationally. This book is sure to interest her many admirers, and to introduce her important work to a larger audience.'–Priscilla Roth, Training and Supervising Psychoanalyst, Fellow, British Psychoanalytic Society

'These papers reflect the wealth and depth of Irma Brenman-Pick’s clinical experience. She explores the range of unconscious phantasies that embody both the patient’s destructiveness, and their more positive feelings. Her vivid clinical vignettes show, with courage and sensitivity, the impact such phantasies have on the analyst, and demonstrates an impressive capacity to recognise and to work through what the patient evokes in the analyst and how this interacts with elements in the analyst’s own personality.'–Michael Feldman, Chair, Melanie Klein Trust

‘Irma Brenman Pick’s gift to psychoanalysis is to recognise, accept and explore the paradox that the authentic is always shadowed by the inauthentic. Her open and honest clinical accounts of her psychoanalytic work take the reader beyond the recognition of the patient’s projections to the more painful process of allowing herself to be genuinely affected by them; sometimes as uncomfortably truthful observations of the analyst, at other times resenting their intrusion, but always used as resources for new insights. Authenticity in the Psychoanalytic Encounter is an antidote to the idealization of psychoanalysis and the omnipotence of the psychoanalyst, and can only lead to more authentic practice.’ –Donald Campbell, past President, British Psychoanalytical Society

'Irma Brenman Pick, among the most respected and admired analysts in the British Society, is particularly known, and her work particularly valued, for her emotional acuity, her close and sensitive attention to what goes on within the analytic couple. The papers in this book vividly illustrate her ability to keep in mind the pressures, impulses and defences of both partners in the analytic couple and the way these play out in the analytic process, sometimes interfereing with it. Brenman-Pick has become a valued teacher internationally. This book is sure to interest her many admirers, and to introduce her important work to a larger audience.'–Priscilla Roth, Training and Supervising Psychoanalyst, Fellow, British Psychoanalytic Society

'These papers reflect the wealth and depth of Irma Brenman-Pick’s clinical experience. She explores the range of unconscious phantasies that embody both the patient’s destructiveness, and their more positive feelings. Her vivid clinical vignettes show, with courage and sensitivity, the impact such phantasies have on the analyst, and demonstrates an impressive capacity to recognise and to work through what the patient evokes in the analyst and how this interacts with elements in the analyst’s own personality.'–Michael Feldman, Chair, Melanie Klein Trust

‘Irma Brenman Pick’s gift to psychoanalysis is to recognise, accept and explore the paradox that the authentic is always shadowed by the inauthentic. Her open and honest clinical accounts of her psychoanalytic work take the reader beyond the recognition of the patient’s projections to the more painful process of allowing herself to be genuinely affected by them; sometimes as uncomfortably truthful observations of the analyst, at other times resenting their intrusion, but always used as resources for new insights. Authenticity in the Psychoanalytic Encounter is an antidote to the idealization of psychoanalysis and the omnipotence of the psychoanalyst, and can only lead to more authentic practice.’ –Donald Campbell, past President, British Psychoanalytical Society

'Although the subject matter is complex Brenman Pick’s style is clear, accessible and without jargon. The reader is assisted by the author’s generous use of vignettes from her clinical and supervisory practice which succinctly illustrate her theses, linking theory to clinical practice. This book would be useful to trainees, those recently qualified and also to experienced practitioners in that it articulates and illuminates many complex issues we all struggle with in our day to day work.'
-Joanna Lee, MA, Psychodynamic Practice Journal