Table of Contents

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

About the Author

Walter N Stone

Reviews

"Stone's central interests include the development of the self, empathy, narcissism, shame, envy, rage and the group-self. He is concerned with several aspects of clinical technique [and] is especially sensitive to our co-creation of so-called 'difficult patients'. His understanding of dreams as both personal and group products which manifest visual narratives will be of particular interest to students of the social and collective unconscious.

Group analysts will be able to connect these ideas with their own theories of ego training in action, the complementarity and reciprocity of transference and countertransference processes, the maintenance of an optimal balance of involvement and detachment in conducting and convening groups, and finding crucial areas of engagement between the group-as-a-whole and the members of it. This work locates aggression within the system of aggressive feelings, frustration and failures in empathy and care. Clearly, Stone has contributed to the development of an authentic relational perspective in psychoanalytical group therapy."--Earl Hopper, From the Introduction