Freud and Beyond

MItchell and Black have written a very readable and comprehensive book on Freud's theories and those of many of his acolytes. However, they overlook David Rapaport's important, but little known article on "Activity & Passivity of the Ego With Regards to Reality." In this work, Rapaport explores what Freud really meant by Hypercathexis, which is a release of energy through, for instance, simple self-expression. However, as Rapaport suggests, Hypercathexis can be released not only actively, but also passively, such as in the act of learning. What I did in my book Where Does Mind End? is explore in depth, Freud's psychoanalytic theory taking this information into account. This allowed me to expand greatly on Freud's psychoanalytic model to explain the precise mechanics of defense mechanisms, symbolic behavior, the role of dreams and the route libido takes if wrongly expressed, while also constructing a model of mind that explains the potential cause of psychosomatic illness and also a way to extend one's life by fully understanding the concept of hypercathexis, and in Freud's term, sublimation.The book also explores a psychoanalytic model for the cause of autism (when it is caused that way!) and it's cure, as well as discuss why Freud split with Wilhelm Reich and why he also split with Carl Jung. And the book ends with an in-depth discussion of the teachings of Gurdjieff, whose work really can be seen as an extension or expansion of Freud's psychoanalytic model. The point I am making is that if one wants to truly go beyond Freud, then it is important to integrate Rapaport's insightful work as well as the work of Gurdjieff, who, like Freud, sees man as basically an unconscious being, but unlike Freud, proposes very practical solutions to waking up. A complete model of mind should lead one to higher states of consciousness. Freud's work provides a first step, but to go "Beyond" it is now time for Gurdjieff to gain his proper place in mainstream psychology.Overall, I highly recommend Mitchell and Black's book, but I am also suggesting if the reader truly wants to go "beyond" Freud, then consider [...].

Incredible book. Highly recommended for anyone who would like to learn about the history of ideas and practices in dynamic therapy. The book is written as a dialogue between each group of great thinkers/healers and the classical analytic technique, mirroring the way that innovations really develop. Stephen Mitchell has an engaging and lucid style of writing that could probably make just about anything interesting, and it helps that he seems to have an uncanny facility with diverse schools of thought which often are often to others outside the adherents of that particular camp. You really get a sense of how the field has developed up to the current day, along with an appreciation of both the areas of continuity and disagreement among seemingly divergent perspectives.Although it is just an introduction to the field, I feel like I learned more from this single book than I did my entire first year in graduate school. It effortlessly achieves the balancing act of including enough detail while still maintaining a sense of perspective.

This is the first book I have read on psychoanalytic thought/theory. I am not formally educated and still found it accessible. The authors assume readers know some Freud basics (which I didn't--), like what is the id, ego, and superego, drive theory, pleasure principle/death instinct, etc. I did not have prior understanding of these concepts but still LOVED and benefitted from the book. It is a tremendous overview of more than 100 years-worth of psychoanalytic thought, theorizing, and progress. Also a great overview and introduction to numerous analysts and their theories.Not only is it densely informative and educational from an academic or practitioner's perspective, but it also offers a lot of insight for the patient. For each theory presented, the authors offer how such a theory would play out in an actual analytic situation. So it's also valuable for folks on their own healing/self-discovery journey. It's enlightening to what is actually going on in therapy!

Very well written comprehensive summery of the development of psychoanalytic and affiliated thought. For me, as a psychologist mainly trained in the vein of Cognitive-Behavioural approaches, it helped a great deal to better understand the origins of concepts (e.g. ego defence mechanisms,...) and theories (e.g. Bowlby's Attachment theory,...) that I felt already familiar with.The authors nicely reference back to previous chapters and draw comparisons that greatly help a differentiated understanding.As for the kindle edition, it is by all means readable and the text flows nicely. However, chapters and subheadings don't seem to be recognized as such, making navigating more difficult. A bit more attention to detail for the digital edition would have been nice. Yet, if you just want to read the book cover to cover, you won't be bothered by these shortfalls.Summary:Book - 5 starsKindle edition - 3 stars=================> 4 stars.

This is a fine review of the thinking behind each the major formulations supporting psychotherapy. It is accessible and not biased. I would recommend this to anyone considering a career in mental Health and also for those who are curious