You are here

A Short Introduction to Psychoanalysis
Share
Share

A Short Introduction to Psychoanalysis

Second Edition


March 2011 | 224 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

"The best simply got better. The first edition of this book was already quite simply the best introduction to psychoanalysis ever written and has been appropriately extremely popular with teachers and students alike. The thoroughly updated second edition retains all the powerful features of the first including its remarkable clarity and accessibility. The field will be greatly indebted to these authors for many years."
-Peter Fonagy, University College London

A Short Introduction to Psychoanalysis offers a user-friendly introduction to arguably the most misunderstood of all the psychological therapies. This fully updated and revised Second Edition explains what psychoanalysis really is and provides the reader with an overview of its basic concepts, historical development, critiques and research base. Demonstrating the far reaching influence of psychoanalysis, the authors - all practicing psychoanalysts - describe how its concepts have been applied beyond the consulting room and examine its place within the spectrum of other psychological theories. The text is enlivened by numerous clinical examples.

New to this Edition:

  • Discusses parent infant psychotherapy and mentalization-based therapy (MBT)
  • Further investigates psychotherapy in the NHS and the IAPT program, with more on the debate between CBT and analytic approaches
  • Includes more on dreaming and attachment theory, with added examples
  • Includes new research studies and addresses the new field of psychosocial studies

This down-to-earth guide provides the ideal 'way-in' to the subject for new trainees. For anyone thinking of becoming a psychoanalyst, the book also provides information on the training process and the structure of the profession.


 
What Is Psychoanalysis?
 
Basics of Psychoanalytic Theory
 
A Brief History of Psychoanalysis
 
Psychoanalysis across Cultures
 
Critiques of Psychoanalysis
 
Psychoanalysis and Research
 
Psychoanalysis beyond the Consulting Room
 
Psychoanalysis and the Psychotherapies
 
The Profession: Organization, Communication and Regulation

The best simply got better. The first edition of this book was already quite simply the best introduction to psychoanalysis ever written and has been appropriately extremely popular with teachers and students alike. The thoroughly updated second edition retains all the powerful features of the first including its remarkable clarity and accessibility. The field will be greatly indebted to these authors for many years.
Professor Peter Fonagy
University College London


This is a good introduction to the field of psychoanalysis and will provide students with a basic insight into this theory and practice.

Ms Victoria Louise Booth
H.E Care, Grimsby Institute of HE & FE
November 26, 2015

I have recommended this book to Counselling Psychology doctoral students seeking an introductory text to psychodynamic counselling.

Dr Julianna Challenor
Department of Psychology, City University
December 12, 2014

This is a very detailed text and even though labelled as an introduction it still requires the reader to have a pre-existing insight to the subject - which my students do not have.

Miss MARIE JENKINS
CARE, Carshalton College
January 9, 2014

Excellent resource. Good coverage and elegantly written. Offers a good route into the study of psychoanalysis. Highly recommended.

Dr Kate Daniels
Language Centre, Cambridge University
November 13, 2013

An excellent and concise introduction to psychoanalysis; appropriate for practitioners of all levels

Miss Anna Butcher
Psychology , London Metropolitan Uni (City Campus)
November 7, 2013

This is an excellent introductory text for students who need a base knowledge in psychoanalysis. It will be particularly useful for the year two undergraduate module Psychology and Social Behaviour where I introduce psychoanalytically informed approaches - Hollway, Jefferson. The writing in relation to Melanie Klien will be a useful support for students and I will be ordering a copy for the library and recommending the text.

Dr Dawn Mannay
Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University
October 21, 2013

A good book for business students who need to gain a quick but solid overview of psychoanalytical frameworks and how they might be applied to the business world.

Dr Nadine Tchelebi
Business Law , University of the West of England, Bristol
April 29, 2013

As the title suggests this text is a very accessible (short), introduction to an oft maligned and misunderstood approach to therapy. This edition is clearly contemporary and in as much of improved usefulness to an already useful text.

Mr Neil Burton
Faculty of Health & Social Care, Hull University
November 7, 2012

By far the most accessible and balanced introduction to Psychoanalysis I have come across. It's not defensive about the critiques of psychoanalysis, and answers these with authority. Highly recommended.

Mr John Perry
School of Medicine, Southampton University
June 28, 2012

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1


Sage College Publishing

You can purchase or sample this product on our Sage College Publishing site:

Go To College Site

This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.