Object relations theory... sure. But what about object relations in PRACTICE? Enter Betty Joseph and a 17-page paper (digestible psychodynamic literature for once). In proper Kleinian fashion, she lays out how projection (and projective identification) in the transference can help understand how object relations come alive in the session.

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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction

1:15 What comes alive?

5:56 Theoretical background

11:01 Projective identification as the basis for transference

13:37 Personal thoughts

16:03 Where to go next

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Let's dissect what went wrong in the English translation of Freud’s original German writing. I'll talk about the German words Freud actually used, their deeper meaning, and pronunciation.

💌 I also send out a psychodynamic newsletter 1-2x per month where I share more about what I read and learn behind the scenes. You can sign up here → https://psychodynamicpsychology.myflodesk.com/newsletter

Book mentioned (Amazon affiliate link):

Bruno Bettelheim, "Freud and Man's Soul" → https://amzn.to/3MPQtx1

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

03:03 The Unconscious // das Unbewusste

05:56 Id - Ego - Super-Ego // Es - Ich - Über-Ich

12:27 Drive or Instinct // der Trieb

15:23 Cathexis // Besetzung

19:40 Parapraxis // Fehlleistung

22:05 The Uncanny // das Unheimliche

25:21 Civilization and Its Discontents // Das Unbehagen in der Kultur

27:26 Mind + mental // Seele + seelisch

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There were 5 books that had the biggest impact on my growth as a clinician in 2025. Some helped me improve my psychodynamic thinking. Others helped me gain an even deeper appreciation of the field (not that I needed that but a little extra never hurts). All of them made me excited about what there still is to learn.

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Book #1 → https://amzn.to/4hYD00h

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If you want to get a solid foundation in psychodynamic psychology, here are three books I'd put together into apersonal curriculum.

📖 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate links)

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💌 Psychodynamic Newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com

TIMESTAMPS

01:05 Book #1

04:59 Book #2

08:48 Book #3

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Anna Freud explores how altruism can be used to fend off anxiety (and fulfil "forbidden" wishes), with her interesting exploration of Altruism as a Defense.

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📖 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate link)

The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defense: https://amzn.to/467LwH9

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

01:16 Anna Freud

02:27 Defense Mechanisms

03:30 Altruism (as a Defense)

05:02 Why People Use Altruism as a Defense

06:45 How Altruism as a Defense Works

08:45 Consequences

10:15 (Superficial) Examples + Variations

14:33 My Takeaway

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This is an introduction to Anna Freud's concept of the Identification with the Aggressor (from her book The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence).

For more book recommendations and deep-dives into psychodynamic theory join my newsletter 💌 → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletterCORRECTION at 08:25: the term Anna Freud uses is not "acting out (=Ausagieren) aggression" but "abreaction (=Abreagieren) in the transference" in psychotherapy! I made a mistake.📖 Resources mentioned (Amazon affiliate link)Link to study: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255419693_Does_Venting_Anger_Feed_or_Extinguish_the_Flame_Catharsis_Rumination_Distraction_Anger_and_Aggressive_RespondingThe Ego and Mechanisms of Defense: https://amzn.to/4lhgctETIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction03:06 What is Identification with the Aggressor?05:41 "Prophylactic" Aggression06:55 Helpful vs. Unhelpful08:57 Back to the Study...I'm Alina, a German psychoanalyst in training. I share what I read and learn online to make psychodynamic theory more accessible.DISCLAIMER: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. This description contains affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission at absolutely no extra cost for you if you decide to purchase an item or sign up for a free trial.

👀 Curious about Karen Horney? My workshop is your shortcut to understand her core ideas (distilled from 2,000+ pages of her writing) including basic anxiety, neurotic trends, idealized self, tyranny of the shoulds, and more… in 150 minutes: https://karen-horney.teachery.co/checkout

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I'm Alina, a German psychoanalyst in training. On this channel, I introduce you to psychodynamic theory and help you find your next favourite book ;)

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:39 My Karen Horney Workshop

01:14 Book #1

04:36 Book #2

06:42 Book #3

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Psychoanalysis is full of weird ideas, some are weird in a good way and some... well... see for yourself. In this video I take you along as I browse through Salman Akhtar's masterpiece the "Comprehensive Dictionary of Psychoanalysis" and *ramble* through how I discover and study three random new concepts as a psychoanalyst in training.

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📖 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate link)

Salman Akhtar: Comprehensive Dictionary of Psychoanalysis → https://amzn.to/3FshnH3

Otto Fenichel: The Economic Function of Screen Memories (1927)

Kata Levy: The Eternal Dilettante (1948)

Sigmund Freud: The Taboo of Virginity (1918)

🤳 Instagram: Casual updates → https://instagram.com/psychodynamicpsychology

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:41 Screen Hunger - Otto Fenichel

09:11 Eternal Dilettante - Kata Levy

14:43 Narcissism of Minor Differences - Sigmund Freud

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If I could only recommend one book to every psychodynamic psychotherapist (in training), this would be it: Psychoanalytic Diagnosis - Understanding Personality Structure in the Clinical Process by Nancy McWilliams. It’s a masterpiece that you shouldn’t miss in your own library to improve your clinical knowledge and practice.

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🎥 Videos mentioned

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TIMESTAMPS

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In this ongoing series of “What I Read” I hope to help you find interesting new books to discover (and at least sometimes understand) the great minds and ideas of psychoanalysis. Here is what I read in December 2024 as a psychoanalyst in training.