Knowing What Psychoanalysts Do and Doing What Psychoanalysts Know

An admirable, heroic, rigorous, sustained, effort that gives us access to information well beyond surmise, the only other approach to find out what analysts do, and even more valuably what they think and what they unknowingly believe they are doing and why. The book is very stimulating and I hope our fellow practitioners appreciate it. -- Ron Britton, training analyst and fellow, British Psychoanalytic Society
I thank David Tuckett for the deep experience reading his book has evoked in me. It is a profound, comprehensive analysis of the present crisis in the theory and practice of psychoanalytic technique. The penetrating, objective, and fair description of the dominant alternative models of psychoanalytic interventions upgrades the very level of the respective controversial discussions. -- Otto F. Kernberg, director, Personality Disorders Institute, Cornell Medical Center; past president, International Psychoanalytical Association
The largest collection of psychoanalytic clinical material ever assembled, this book presents a glorious vista of the richness of contemporary clinical thinking by analysts and (perhaps for the first time since Freud) identifies the precious common core of psychoanalytic clinical thought. This breath-taking brilliant insight filled undertaking will be a landmark in the history of psychoanalysis and vital reading for anyone practicing psychoanalytically informed psychological therapy. A giant contribution to clinical understanding and practice. -- Peter Fonagy, OBE, FMedSci, FBA, FAcSS, head of the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, UCL; CEO, Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families,
In this ground-breaking book, David Tuckett et al. show how their sophisticated, nuanced research model applied to the clinical material from the long-standing Comparative Clinical Methods Working Party allows them to present a sophisticated comparison of different psychoanalytic methods. It is beautifully written with numerous clinical examples that are discussed in an unbiased way. Every psychoanalyst can benefit from reading this book. -- Fred Busch, PhD, Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute
A ground-breaking exploration of psychoanalytic practice. Through their meticulous research, analysis of workshop discussions, and psychoanalytical writings, the authors offer a shared theoretical framework for self-enquiry. I participated in the work that led to this book and the one that preceded it, always gaining a better understanding of the models with which my colleagues worked and the model I used myself. This book challenges and guides psychoanalysts to reflect on their practice, fostering a deeper understanding of the analytic situation, recognition of the unconscious, and transformative interventions. A must-read for professionals seeking to enhance their therapeutic approach and contribute to the evolution of psychoanalysis. -- Antonino Ferro, MD, past president, Italian Psychoanalytic Society
In terms of the history of science, the Comparative Clinical Method project has the great merit of having led psychoanalysis from the time of ideological struggles between different psychoanalytic schools into the time of plurality in psychoanalysis. A treasure of clinical case material as well as sophisticated conceptual thinking. -- Marianne Leuzinger-Bohleber, German Psychoanalytic Association and senior scientist
This pioneering work from the Comparative Clinical Methods project accomplishes Freud’s wished-for Junktim of practice and theory—elaborating the traditional case study into a research method with group validation of findings. Using case reports of well-known analysts, the CCM team develops and demonstrates a new theoretical frame that all clinicians will find illuminating. -- William Glover, PhD, past president, American Psychoanalytic Association
Extraordinarily astute, this book represents a milestone. The authors create a framework both for unity in diversity in the international cooperation of psychoanalysts and for self-reflection based on conceptual empiricism for the everyday work of each individual clinician. The knowledgeable re-translation of some of Freud's central terms correct some previously common misconceptions. A gift to all international psychoanalysts, including psychoanalysts-in-training. -- Heribert Blass, MD, German Psychoanalytic Association, EPF President, IPA President-elect
Psychoanalytic literature has accrued a vast bibliography on theory, but there is relatively little when it comes to exploring what ordinary psychoanalytic sessions look like and how theoretical assumptions bleed into practice. This book splendidly fills this gap by taking the reader into the denseness and complexities of analytic practice through a rigorous method of study and comparison. It should not be missed! -- Beth and Elias Mallet da Rocha Barros, training and supervising analysts, Brazilian Psychoanalytic Society of Saõ Paulo
If you’ve ever wondered, 'Is this analysis?', this book is a great place to start. As a recently graduated analyst, I found this book extremely helpful and orienting in understanding my own developing approach to psychoanalysis. A valuable guide in the 'long march' to situate oneself within the expanding and contradictory approaches to psychoanalysis, it also provides a useful psychoanalytic education along the way. It should be a welcome addition to psychoanalytic training curricula. -- Gerard Sobnosky, vice president, International Psychoanalytic Studies Organization,
We are invited to follow the creative work of an international group of psychoanalysts researching the different basic modes of doing analysis, leading up to the identification of those significant moments when the unconscious maximally reveals itself in the disturbing phenomena which occur unexpectedly. A unique and fascinating book. -- Dana Birksted Breen, PhD, training and supervising analyst, British Psychoanalytic Society; former editor, International Journal of Psychoanalysis and the New Library of Psychoanalysis
In the parable of the blind men and the elephant, each describes a different creature by focusing on a different part of the animal. Psychoanalysis too finds it hard to provide a gestalt for what it is we do and what we believe to be central to our endeavors. Here Tuckett, with his esteemed colleagues, presents us with the elephant. -- Bruce Reis, PhD, North American regional editor, International Journal of Psychoanalysis; training and supervising analyst, International Psychoanalytical Association
An impressive achievement, creating a new common theoretical framework. A remarkable and essential reference. Key for psychoanalytic training. -- Marina Altmann de Litvan, PhD, Uruguayan Psychoanalytic Association
This book is based on the evidence of hundreds of hours of clinical presentations by experienced North American and European analysts of varying orientations. Unique and truly pathbreaking... an elegantly articulated and very creatively conceptualized framework. The approach and tone adopted throughout is neutral, respectful, and non-judgmental. There is nothing remotely like this work in our literature. A powerful and indispensable contribution. -- Nasir Ilahi, training and supervising analyst, Psychoanalytic Association of New York