Heinz Kohut’s self psychology represents a significant shift within psychoanalytic thought, moving the focus from instinctual drives and conflict towards the development, cohesion, and maintenance of the self. This contrasts strongly with writers such as Jung and...
Psychoanalysis
Kohut’s Self Psychology and the Role of Selfobjects in Psychological Wellbeing
Melanie Klein, Excessive Projection, and the Violent Splitting of the Self
Melanie Klein (1882–1960), a pioneering psychoanalyst, made significant contributions to the understanding of early psychic development, particularly through her work on object relations theory. Among her influential concepts is that of excessive projection and...
The Spectrum of Narcissism: Shame, Rage, and the Value of Healthy Self-Love
Narcissism is sometimes viewed solely through a negative lens—a trait that conjures images of arrogance, self-absorption, and grandiose behaviour. Yet, psychoanalyst Heinz Kohut reminds us that narcissism exists on a spectrum and plays an important role in healthy...
Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory: Elements That Endure
I was recently pondering which parts of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory are still relevant. While many of his ideas have faced criticism and revision over the decades, certain aspects of his work have stood the test of time, influencing modern psychology,...
Melanie Klein’s Best Possible Outcome for a Child: Emotional Integration and Maturity
Melanie Klein, a pioneer of psychoanalytic theory, revolutionised the understanding of childhood development through her focus on the inner emotional world of infants and their relationships with primary caregivers. Central to her work was the concept of achieving...
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