Making of a Psychotherapist

Neville Symington is a member of the British and Australian Psychoanalytical Societies. His books include 'Narcissism: A New Theory', 'The Making of a Psychotherapist', 'A Pattern of Madness' and 'Becoming a Person Through Psychoanalysis' (all published by Karnac Books); 'The Analytic Experience', and 'The Clinical Thinking of Wilfred Bion' (written with Joan Symington). He has a private psychoanalytic practice in New South Wales, Australia.

'This is a remarkable book on the psychoanalytic essence. Behind the official training the author has passed through to arrive at his present amalgam, what shines through is his unique individuality. This work is as informative as it is compelling. Without psychoanalese, understanding and practice are seamlessly fused. Clinical observations and examples from life are brilliantly relevant. Alongside these is a world-view of the psychology of man. Moral courage, which plays a central role in the psychodynamics described, is also a major presence in shaping the author's thinking and formulations.'- Leo Rangell, M.D.'Like many a creative writer, Neville Symington has trodden a long and interesting path, something that is richly reflected in this, his latest book.it is a record of a personal journey of professional development, but in sharing his 'log book of the mind' with us, Symington gives us that rare privilege of seeing the many issues, both in the institutions and in the ideas that they purvey, that need rethinking and addressing.'- Anton Obholzer, from his Foreword

• Foreword -- Introduction -- Personal Qualities -- The traditions and practice of psychotherapy -- The psychotherapist's education -- The analyst's inner task -- Imagination and curiosity of mind -- Mental pain and moral courage -- Self-esteem in analyst and patient -- Transference -- Professional Dilemmas -- Modes of cure in psychotherapy -- The seductive psychotherapist -- Mimesis in narcissistic patients -- Narcissism -- An analysis of greed -- The origins of rage and aggression -- The autonomy of the self -- A question of conscience -- Psychotherapy and religion