Guilt: Origins, Manifestations, and Management

(Paperback)

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In this elegantly written book, eight distinguished psychoanalysts address the ubiquitous phenomenon of guilt. They describe the childhood experiences that form the bedrock of this emotion and delineate various types of guilt, including pre-oedipal guilt, oedipal guilt, survivor guilt, separation guilt, induced guilt, and so on. Noting that guilt, by itself, is neither good nor bad, these master clinicians highlight the adverse (e.g. self-punishment, masochism, irritability) and potentially positive (e.g. reparation, helpfulness towards others) outcomes of guilt. They critically assess previously published findings, review diverse theories, and offer illustrative material from treatment of children and adults. As a result, Guilt: Origins, Manifestations, and Management is replete with clinical pearls and highly useful tips for the management of patients driven by feelings of guilt and remorse.

Reviews

This volume is a unique and comprehensive collection of writings on guilt, giving the reader important and clinically relevant insights into guilt not simply as an affect accompanying actual or wished for transgressions, but as a moral regulator and compass. It will be of great use to psychotherapists at all levels of training and experience. -- Melvin R. Lansky, M.D., training and supervising analyst, The New Center for Psychoanalysis, Los Angeles; clinical professor of psychiatry, UCLA Medica
This is a valuable book on a topic of central importance to the work of all psychoanalysts and psychotherapists. It delves deeply into guilt and its related affects in the people we work with and in ourselves. Rich in clinical material, it consists of multiple views from within the intense and complex psychoanalytic work conducted by an impressive group of theoretically diverse experts in the field. It is a privilege to be invited to share their thinking, and even more compelling, their feelings. This volume is further enhanced by the editors masterful introductory chapter that defines, compares, and contrasts the related affects of guilt, shame, and remorse, and by the final chapter, which provides the reader with a concise overview and summary. -- Beth Seelig M.D., Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research

Author Bio

Salman Akhtar, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Jefferson Medical College; Training and Supervising Analyst, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jeanne Bailey, PhD, Training and Supervising Analyst, Minnesota Psychoanalytic Society, Minneapolis, MN. Stanley J. Coen, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, College of Physicians, Surgeons, Columbia University; Training and Supervising Analyst, Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, New York, NY. Elio Frattaroli, MD, Faculty Member, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia; private practice of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, Bala Cynwyd, PA. Robert Kravis, PsyD, Faculty Member, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia; private practice of adult and child psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, Philadelphia, PA. Desy Safn-Gerard, PhD, Training and Supervising Analyst, Psychoanalytic Center of California, Los Angeles, CA. William R. Singletary, MD, President, Margaret S. Mahler Psychiatric Research Foundation; Faculty, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia; private practice of adult and child psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, Ardmore, PA. Elaine Zickler, PhD, Faculty Member, Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia; private practice of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, Philadelphia, PA.