The Practice of Psychology

The Battle for Professionalism

by Nicholas A. Cummings and Rogers H. Wright
Type: Hardcover

In this extraordinary book, James Masterson gives new meaning to “back to the future” as he reviews some of the most significant ideas he set forth a quarter of a century ago and wonders out loud how they will cross over into the new millennium. Most have stood the test of time and indeed will serve as a strong foundation for the work that is to come; some have gone through a healthy evolution and remain more fluid. All continue to hold our interest and to demand our attention.

Among the featured topics:
The role of the mother or primary caretaker in the development of the normal self
the minimizing and denial of the role of the mother in the borderline personality disorder
handicaps of the DSM-IV descriptive approach to diagnosis and the advantage of a psychodynamic approach
the integrating influence of a concept of the self on an understanding of the personality disorders
the differential diagnosis of those patients whose primary defense is focus on the object
the diagnosis and treatment of intimacy problems in patients with personality disorders
A unique highlight is the inclusion of a comprehensive report of a six-year course of psychoanalytic psychotherapy of a patient with a closet narcissistic defense against neurosis. This rich case study makes accessible not only the overt clinical issues being negotiated, but also the all-important nuances of disclosure and treatment.

Readers across the field will benefit from Dr. Masterson’s decision to pause and reflect on his 25 years of work in the personality disorders — his decision to pause and project what the future may hold in this important area of investigation.