Overview

An excellent introduction for students of psychoanalytic diagnostic thinking, this book clearly explicates the major clinically important character types and suggests how an appreciation of the patients's individual personality structure should influence the therapist's focus and style of intervention. Eschewing the dense jargon that often discourages beginning therapists, the book is engagingly written and includes numerous vignettes that bring concepts to life. Psychoanalytic Diagnosis will be of interest to psychotherapists, psychologists, and clinical therapists. It is ideal for beginning therapists and students of psychotherapy and psychology.

Full Product Details

Author:   Nancy McWilliams
Publisher:   Guilford Publications
Imprint:   Guilford Publications
Dimensions:   Width: 16.50cm , Height: 3.10cm , Length: 24.10cm
Weight:   0.682kg
ISBN:  

9780898621990

ISBN 10:   0898621992
Pages:   398
Publication Date:   07 July 1994
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Replaced By:   9781609184940
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   In Print  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

Reviews

Books by Nancy McWilliams used in unison make the best psychodynamic resources I have yet encountered in more than 60 years in the field. --Robert C. Lane, PhD, Department of Psychology, Nova Southeastern University The aim of Nancy McWilliams's excellent (and I believe essential) book is twofold: first, to present a psychoanalytically oriented view of individual differences in personality structure and then, secondly, to show how these differences can be clinically and therapeutically useful....Stylistically, the writing is clear and simple and jargon is, for the most part, avoided. The case examples and anecdotes, especially those illustrating the different personality types, are well-chosen and illuminating. --Scott Miller, Ph.D. in New Jersey Psychologist A successful attempt to bring together the many strands of contemporary psychoanalytic investigation of the nature and psychotherapeutic treatment of character pathology. Readable and informative, this book moves easily from one theoretical frame to another according to the usefulness of each frame for understanding a specific aspect of the character pathology....The result is a book that should be helpful to the psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapist of personality disorders as well as to the clinician in carrying out the differential diagnosis of these conditions....The thoughtful references, at crucial points, to literature that permits the reader to deepen his or her understanding in this field enriches and broadens the perspective opened by this excellent primer. --Otto F. Kernberg, M.D. Comprehensible and readable--lends itself to graduate studies. --Cathleen Adams, Ph.D., New School for Social Research, Graduate Psychology This is a clear, superbly written text. The author consistently develops the treatment implications of diagnostic statements. --Virginia Brabender, Ph.D., ABPP-Cl This book is so well written, and with such subtlety, sensitivity, and clarity, it gave me goosebumps to read it. --Garry Walls, Ph.D., Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago IL; Course: Psychopathology I Psychoanalytic Diagnosis is a highly readable approach to character pathology that combines theoretical sophistication with clinical wisdom. Nancy Williams is an experienced, empathic, and intelligent therapist who succeeds in making clinical material come alive through her perceptiveness and her skill in writing. It isn't often that diagnosis is linked in a meaningful way to treatment, and McWilliams' schema allows this to happen. In addition, she shows an appreciation of all of the approaches to psychoanalytic theory without succumbing to a doctrinaire formulation. The integration that is achieved is an accomplishment in its own right, and students at all levels of training should benefit from this lucid presentation. --George Stricker, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor, Adelphi University Finally, a current, lucid, and comprehensive psychoanalytic text on psychology. It takes into account all of the most recent developments in psychoanalytic thinking. It is an ideal text for serious students of psychoanalytic approaches to psychopathology. --Jonathan H. Slavin, Ph.D., Director, Counseling Center, Tufts University A superb, highly readable work on the understanding of character patterns in clinical practice....PSYCHOANALYTIC DIAGNOSIS will be of immense value to all students undertaking training in the psychodynamic tradition. Because this book is so broadly integrative in scope and so rich in clinical understanding, it will be of great interest to students and practitioners of other theoretical persuasions as well. --George E. Atwood, Ph.D. For the students of therapy, for the young practitioner, for those interested in a diagnostic model for the initial stage of analytic therapy, I recommend this book. The prose is lucid, lively, and very readable. The author demonstrates refreshing candor about therapeutic work, empathy toward patients, as well as invaluable knowledge and insights gleaned from the clinical setting. McWilliams writes about complex constructs in psychoanalytic theory in a clear and comprehensive way.... --Doris K. Silverman, Ph.D. This is diagnosis, not as labeling, but as making distinctions with consequences for treatment....This book sensitizes the therapist to differences that make a difference, and provides a conceptual bridge for using psychoanalytic knowledge to greatly increase the effectiveness even of brief psychotherapy, as well as longer-term treatments. --Bertram P. Karon, Ph.D. There has been a great need for a comprehensive book to address the relationships between character and therapy. McWilliams not only succeeds in writing a scholarly text, but brings each character type to life with clinical vignettes which make this a real page-turner. It offers a foundation to the beginner, and the more experienced psychotherapist will come away with a deeper understanding of people and the therapeutic process. I think it is destined to become a classic in psychotherapy literature. --Jean Ciardiello, Ed.D. .,. a much needed text which...will benefit both clinicians and psychotherapists in training....Considering the wealth of clinical material and wisdom found in this book, I think it is well worth the price. It is of great topical interest, and I highly recommend it to all residents and mental-health professionals involved in dynamic psychotherapy. -- Canadian Journal of Psychiatry If a 'charming textbook' seems like an oxymoron, then welcome to Nancy McWilliams's Psychoanalytic Diagnosis, Her book is just such a wonder....McWilliams has succeeded in producing a book for initial learning that will remain on her readers' desks as a frequently thumbed manual. -- Psychoanalytic Books Thanks to McWilliams's excellent book, those of us who teach or supervise can at last offer our students and supervisees a comprehensive, exceptionally well-organized text on diagnosis, grounded in evolving psychoanalytic theory and focused on linking diagnosis to the appropriate therapeutic response....Since reading Psychoanalytic Diagnosis, I have found myself using it as a teaching tool and reference when diagnostic questions arise that have implications for therapeutic interventions. -- Contemporary Psychology .,. this text serves as a good introduction to the field of psychodynamic therapy and conceptualization. -- American Journal of Psychotherapy In her sweeping, comprehensive work about a psychoanalytic perspectives on diagnosis, Dr. McWilliams has written a book which could easily become classic as a psychoanalytic primer for students in the field...This book is worthy of a wide readership. -- Clinical Social Work Journal

Books by Nancy McWilliams used in unison make the best psychodynamic resources I have yet encountered in more than 60 years in the field. --Robert C. Lane, PhD, Department of Psychology, Nova Southeastern University The aim of Nancy McWilliams's excellent (and I believe essential) book is twofold: first, to present a psychoanalytically oriented view of individual differences in personality structure and then, secondly, to show how these differences can be clinically and therapeutically useful....Stylistically, the writing is clear and simple and jargon is, for the most part, avoided. The case examples and anecdotes, especially those illustrating the different personality types, are well-chosen and illuminating. --Scott Miller, Ph.D. in New Jersey Psychologist A successful attempt to bring together the many strands of contemporary psychoanalytic investigation of the nature and psychotherapeutic treatment of character pathology. Readable and informative, this book moves easily from one theoretical frame to another according to the usefulness of each frame for understanding a specific aspect of the character pathology....The result is a book that should be helpful to the psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapist of personality disorders as well as to the clinician in carrying out the differential diagnosis of these conditions....The thoughtful references, at crucial points, to literature that permits the reader to deepen his or her understanding in this field enriches and broadens the perspective opened by this excellent primer. --Otto F. Kernberg, M.D. Comprehensible and readable--lends itself to graduate studies. --Cathleen Adams, Ph.D., New School for Social Research, Graduate Psychology This is a clear, superbly written text. The author consistently develops the treatment implications of diagnostic statements. --Virginia Brabender, Ph.D., ABPP-Cl This book is so well written, and with such subtlety, sensitivity, and clarity, it gave me goosebumps to read it. --Garry Walls, Ph.D., Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago IL; Course: Psychopathology I Psychoanalytic Diagnosis is a highly readable approach to character pathology that combines theoretical sophistication with clinical wisdom. Nancy Williams is an experienced, empathic, and intelligent therapist who succeeds in making clinical material come alive through her perceptiveness and her skill in writing. It isn't often that diagnosis is linked in a meaningful way to treatment, and McWilliams' schema allows this to happen. In addition, she shows an appreciation of all of the approaches to psychoanalytic theory without succumbing to a doctrinaire formulation. The integration that is achieved is an accomplishment in its own right, and students at all levels of training should benefit from this lucid presentation. --George Stricker, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor, Adelphi University Finally, a current, lucid, and comprehensive psychoanalytic text on psychology. It takes into account all of the most recent developments in psychoanalytic thinking. It is an ideal text for serious students of psychoanalytic approaches to psychopathology. --Jonathan H. Slavin, Ph.D., Director, Counseling Center, Tufts University A superb, highly readable work on the understanding of character patterns in clinical practice....PSYCHOANALYTIC DIAGNOSIS will be of immense value to all students undertaking training in the psychodynamic tradition. Because this book is so broadly integrative in scope and so rich in clinical understanding, it will be of great interest to students and practitioners of other theoretical persuasions as well. --George E. Atwood, Ph.D. For the students of therapy, for the young practitioner, for those interested in a diagnostic model for the initial stage of analytic therapy, I recommend this book. The prose is lucid, lively, and very readable. The author demonstrates refreshing candor about therapeutic work, empathy toward patients, as well as invaluable knowledge and insights gleaned from the clinical setting. McWilliams writes about complex constructs in psychoanalytic theory in a clear and comprehensive way.... --Doris K. Silverman, Ph.D. This is diagnosis, not as labeling, but as making distinctions with consequences for treatment....This book sensitizes the therapist to differences that make a difference, and provides a conceptual bridge for using psychoanalytic knowledge to greatly increase the effectiveness even of brief psychotherapy, as well as longer-term treatments. --Bertram P. Karon, Ph.D. There has been a great need for a comprehensive book to address the relationships between character and therapy. McWilliams not only succeeds in writing a scholarly text, but brings each character type to life with clinical vignettes which make this a real page-turner. It offers a foundation to the beginner, and the more experienced psychotherapist will come away with a deeper understanding of people and the therapeutic process. I think it is destined to become a classic in psychotherapy literature. --Jean Ciardiello, Ed.D. .,. a much needed text which...will benefit both clinicians and psychotherapists in training....Considering the wealth of clinical material and wisdom found in this book, I think it is well worth the price. It is of great topical interest, and I highly recommend it to all residents and mental-health professionals involved in dynamic psychotherapy. -- Canadian Journal of Psychiatry If a 'charming textbook' seems like an oxymoron, then welcome to Nancy McWilliams's Psychoanalytic Diagnosis, Her book is just such a wonder....McWilliams has succeeded in producing a book for initial learning that will remain on her readers' desks as a frequently thumbed manual. -- Psychoanalytic Books Thanks to McWilliams's excellent book, those of us who teach or supervise can at last offer our students and supervisees a comprehensive, exceptionally well-organized text on diagnosis, grounded in evolving psychoanalytic theory and focused on linking diagnosis to the appropriate therapeutic response....Since reading Psychoanalytic Diagnosis, I have found myself using it as a teaching tool and reference when diagnostic questions arise that have implications for therapeutic interventions. -- Contemporary Psychology .,. this text serves as a good introduction to the field of psychodynamic therapy and conceptualization. -- American Journal of Psychotherapy In her sweeping, comprehensive work about a psychoanalytic perspectives on diagnosis, Dr. McWilliams has written a book which could easily become classic as a psychoanalytic primer for students in the field...This book is worthy of a wide readership. -- Clinical Social Work Journal

.,. a much needed text which...will benefit both clinicians and psychotherapists in training....Considering the wealth of clinical material and wisdom found in this book, I think it is well worth the price. It is of great topical interest, and I highly recommend it to all residents and mental-health professionals involved in dynamic psychotherapy. -- Canadian Journal of Psychiatry <br> If a 'charming textbook' seems like an oxymoron, then welcome to Nancy McWilliams's Psychoanalytic Diagnosis, Her book is just such a wonder....McWilliams has succeeded in producing a book for initial learning that will remain on her readers' desks as a frequently thumbed manual. -- Psychoanalytic Books <br> Thanks to McWilliams's excellent book, those of us who teach or supervise can at last offer our students and supervisees a comprehensive, exceptionally well-organized text on diagnosis, grounded in evolving psychoanalytic theory and focused on linking diagnosis to the appropriate therapeutic response....Since reading Psychoanalytic Diagnosis, I have found myself using it as a teaching tool and reference when diagnostic questions arise that have implications for therapeutic interventions. -- Contemporary Psychology <br>.,. this text serves as a good introduction to the field of psychodynamic therapy and conceptualization. -- American Journal of Psychotherapy <br> In her sweeping, comprehensive work about a psychoanalytic perspectives on diagnosis, Dr. McWilliams has written a book which could easily become classic as a psychoanalytic primer for students in the field...This book is worthy of a wide readership. -- Clinical Social Work Journal <br>

Books by Nancy McWilliams used in unison make the best psychodynamic resources I have yet encountered in more than 60 years in the field. --Robert C. Lane, PhD, Department of Psychology, Nova Southeastern University <br> The aim of Nancy McWilliams's excellent (and I believe essential) book is twofold: first, to present a psychoanalytically oriented view of individual differences in personality structure and then, secondly, to show how these differences can be clinically and therapeutically useful....Stylistically, the writing is clear and simple and jargon is, for the most part, avoided. The case examples and anecdotes, especially those illustrating the different personality types, are well-chosen and illuminating. --Scott Miller, Ph.D. in New Jersey Psychologist <br> A successful attempt to bring together the many strands of contemporary psychoanalytic investigation of the nature and psychotherapeutic treatment of character pathology. Readable and informative, this book moves easily from one theoretical frame to another according to the usefulness of each frame for understanding a specific aspect of the character pathology....The result is a book that should be helpful to the psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapist of personality disorders as well as to the clinician in carrying out the differential diagnosis of these conditions....The thoughtful references, at crucial points, to literature that permits the reader to deepen his or her understanding in this field enriches and broadens the perspective opened by this excellent primer. --Otto F. Kernberg, M.D. <br> Comprehensible and readable--lends itself to graduate studies. --Cathleen Adams, Ph.D., New School for Social Research, Graduate Psychology <br> This is a clear, superbly written text. The author consistently develops the treatment implications of diagnostic statements. --Virginia Brabender, Ph.D., ABPP-Cl <br> This book is so well written, and with such subtlety, sensitivity, and

Books by Nancy McWilliams used in unison make the best psychodynamic resources I have yet encountered in more than 60 years in the field. --Robert C. Lane, PhD, Department of Psychology, Nova Southeastern University The aim of Nancy McWilliams's excellent (and I believe essential) book is twofold: first, to present a psychoanalytically oriented view of individual differences in personality structure and then, secondly, to show how these differences can be clinically and therapeutically useful....Stylistically, the writing is clear and simple and jargon is, for the most part, avoided. The case examples and anecdotes, especially those illustrating the different personality types, are well-chosen and illuminating. --Scott Miller, Ph.D. in New Jersey Psychologist A successful attempt to bring together the many strands of contemporary psychoanalytic investigation of the nature and psychotherapeutic treatment of character pathology. Readable and informative, this book moves easily from one theoretical frame to another according to the usefulness of each frame for understanding a specific aspect of the character pathology....The result is a book that should be helpful to the psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapist of personality disorders as well as to the clinician in carrying out the differential diagnosis of these conditions....The thoughtful references, at crucial points, to literature that permits the reader to deepen his or her understanding in this field enriches and broadens the perspective opened by this excellent primer. --Otto F. Kernberg, M.D. Comprehensible and readable--lends itself to graduate studies. --Cathleen Adams, Ph.D., New School for Social Research, Graduate Psychology This is a clear, superbly written text. The author consistently develops the treatment implications of diagnostic statements. --Virginia Brabender, Ph.D., ABPP-Cl This book is so well written, and with such subtlety, sensitivity, and

Author Information

Nancy McWilliams, PhD, teaches psychoanalytic theory and therapy at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers--The State University of New Jersey. A senior analyst with the Institute for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy of New Jersey and the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis, she has a private practice in psychodynamic therapy and supervision in Flemington, New Jersey. Her previous book, Psychoanalytic Diagnosis has become a standard text in many training programs for psychoanalysts, both in the United States and abroad. She has also authored articles and book chapters on personality, psychotherapy, psychodiagnosis, sexuality, feminism, and contemporary psychopathologies.

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