Contributions of Self Psychology to Group Psychotherapy

Walter N. Stone MD, author of three books and more than sixty articles on group psychotherapy, is Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati, past president of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), and past treasurer of the International Association of Group Psychotherapy (IAGP). His involvement with AGPA and IAGP has enabled him to have a breadth and depth of exposure to the treatment modality. His work has been recognized nationally and internationally as providing an additional lens in which to view working in groups.

• Foreword , Preface , Introduction , Theory , Contributions of the psychology of the self to group process and group therapy , The group self: A neglected aspect of group psychotherapy , Group-as-a-whole: A self psychological perspective , Dreams as portraits of self and group interaction , A self psychological perspective of group development , Clinical Applications , A self psychological perspective of envy in group psychotherapy , Frustration, anger, and the significance of alter-ego transferences in group psychotherapy , Self Psychology and the Higher Mental Functioning hypothesis: Complementary theories , The role of the therapist's affect in the detection of empathic failures, misunderstandings and injury , Severe Disorders , Technique in group psychotherapy of narcissistic and borderline patients , Affect and therapeutic process in groups for chronically mentally persons , Strivings and expectations: An examination of process in groups for persons with chronic mental illness , Saying goodbye: Exploring attachments as a therapist leaves a group of chronically ill persons

'Here is a marvelous collection of papers by one who pioneered the introduction of self psychology into group psychotherapy. It includes the author's classic initial contributions to this venture, as well as recent papers that expand on its application. The last section contains important papers on treatment of the chronically mentally ill with which the author has spent years working and refining technique. This anthology belongs on the shelf of every seasoned clinician.'- Howard D. Kibel, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, New York Medical College