Fragile Self

In The Fragile Self Dr. Phil Mollon, a respected British psychotherapist, discusses disorders of the self from a variety of points of view, drawing particular attention to the work of Kohut and describing its strengths and limitations. Mollon shows that psychoanalysis requires an adequate theory of self in order to address effectively those states of mind in which a disturbed sense of self is prominent. A broader classification of disturbances of self is required, argues Mollon, who goes on to develop his own thesis that patients in psychotherapy or analysis are often unconsciously seeking a needed development-enhancing response from the therapist. The therapist's task is to recognize this need and to articulate it to the patient. In this way, the hitherto lonely and unreached parts of the personality can be contacted and integrated. In exploring these issues, many aspects of psychoanalytic process and technique are reexamined.