Psychodynamic Psychology

By Alina | Psychodynamic PsychologyEducation

Psychodynamic Psychology episodes

January 20, 2025 Psychoanalytic Diagnosis (and Why It Matters) | Nancy McWilliams
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.

📖 Get the book (Amazon affiliate link) → https://amzn.to/4hkDwF3

🎥 Videos mentioned
Defense Mechanisms: https://youtu.be/tiQRJh0HL4E
Dwight Schrute: https://youtu.be/Xjbzbe0ubqU

💌 Psychodynamic Library + Newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter

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

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 My favourite psychodynamic book
00:51 Why (psychoanalytic) diagnosis matters
04:22 Content of the book
09:19 Personality types aka my favourite part
11:40 Limits

EQUIPMENT (affiliate links):
Camera: https://amzn.to/40o7jah
Lens: https://amzn.to/420Igvb
Microphone: https://amzn.to/4fQQ0TN
Music: https://share.epidemicsound.com/un7jc6

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.
15 min
January 01, 2025 What I Read in December 2024 (as a Psychoanalyst in Training): Karen Horney, Thomas Ogden, and more
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.
💌 NEWSLETTER: Get my Psychodynamic Library → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter
🤳 INSTAGRAM: Casual updates → https://instagram.com/psychodynamicpsychology
📚 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate links):
Karen Horney, New Ways in Psychoanalysis: https://amzn.to/470yo55
Karen Horney, Final Lectures: https://amzn.to/49rektU
Andrew Morrison, Essential Papers on Narcissism: https://amzn.to/4fz2Upk
Heinz Kohut, The Restoration of the Self: https://amzn.to/3WRbKsc
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
00:29 Overview
01:28 Karen Horney, New Ways in Psychoanalysis
05:01 Thomas Ogden, Reading Loewald: Oedipus Reconceived
06:07 Karen Horney, Final Lectures
08:23 What’s next
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.
14 min
December 19, 2024 Best (Psychodynamic) Books of 2024 | What I Read as a Psychoanalyst in Training
Here are my favourite psychodynamic books and articles out of 4200+ pages I read in 2024 (as a psychoanalyst in training). Each of them allowed me to dive into another great mind, theory, or contribution of psychoanalysis.

🎥 Watch the video version here on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/sRsfqNkNwBo⁠

💌 Psychodynamic Library + newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter

🤳 Instagram + casual updates → https://instagram.com/psychodynamicpsychology

📚 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate links):
"Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: A Practitioner's Guide" by Nancy McWilliams: https://amzn.to/4ccruul
"The Hidden Spring" by Mark Solms: https://amzn.to/3SB7tqg
"The Neuroscientific Underpinnings of Psychoanalysis" by Mark Solms: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00294/full
"The Shadow of the Object" by Christopher Bollas: https://amzn.to/3T13N1B
"Psychoanalytic Studies of the Personality" by W. R. D. Fairbairn: https://amzn.to/3ywLKJp
"Why Read Fairbairn?" by Thomas Ogden
"New Ways in Psychoanalysis" by Karen Horney: https://amzn.to/470yo55
"A Mind of Her Own: The Life of Karen Horney" by Susan Quinn: https://amzn.to/3XOMuSO
"Triangulierung" Jürgen Grieser: https://amzn.to/3YzPwwq
"Schopenhauer’s Porcupines: Intimacy and Its Dilemmas" by Deborah Luepnitz: https://amzn.to/3yqDlHw
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
02:03 Nancy McWilliams, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: A Practitioner's Guide
04:16 Mark Solms, The Hidden Spring
06:53 Mark Solms, The Neuroscientific Underpinnings of Psychoanalysis
07:46 Christopher Bollas, The Shadow of the Object
10:29 W. R. D. Fairbairn, Psychoanalytic Studies of the Personality
13:08 Thomas Ogden, Why Read Fairbairn?
13:50 Susan Quinn, A Mind of Her Own: The Life of Karen Horney
15:33 Karen Horney, New Ways in Psychoanalysis
17:38 Jürgen Grieser, Triangulierung
19:52 Deborah Luepnitz, Schopenhauer’s Porcupines: Intimacy and Its Dilemmas

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.
24 min
December 11, 2024 What I Read (as a Psychoanalyst in Training) | Oedipus Complex, Fairbairn, Karen Horney...
This is another rambly (video) podcast episode, where I share 5 niche psychodynamic/psychoanalytic articles and books I read in the last two months. In case you look to discover what to read next as a psychodynamic psychotherapist in traning, this might be interesting for you. Thematically they ranged from the Oedipus complex, to Fairbairn, solid introductions into psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and lots of Karen Horney.
💌 Psychodynamic Library + newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter
🤳 Instagram + casual updates → https://instagram.com/psychodynamicpsychology
Articles and books mentioned (affiliate links):
"The Waning of the Oedipus Complex" by Hans W. Loewald
"Why Read Fairbairn?" by Thomas Ogden
"Introduction to the Practice of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy" by Alessandra Lemma → https://amzn.to/3X7WPci
"Feminine Psychology" by Karen Horney → https://amzn.to/3WUA9xj
"A Mind of Her Own: The Life of Karen Horney" by Susan Quinn → https://amzn.to/3XOMuSO
If you're new here: Hi! My name is Alina, I'm a German psychoanalyst in training. I dive into psychodynamic books for a living and hope to make the great psychodynamic thinkers more accessible.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
01:58 "The Waning of the Oedipus Complex" by Hans W. Loewald
06:02 "Why Read Fairbairn?" by Thomas Ogden
08:25 "Introduction to the Practice of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy" by Alessandra Lemma
13:10 "Feminine Psychology" by Karen Horney
15:57 "A Mind of Her Own: The Life of Karen Horney" by Susan Quinn
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.
23 min
September 18, 2024Reading Fairbairn, Solms, and Fromm | What I Read in August 2024 (Psychodynamic Edition)
As a (beginning) psychodynamic practitioner, you know you should read more. But where to start and what is worth your time? Maybe I can help.

If you're new here: Hi! My name is Alina, I'm a German psychologist and psychoanalyst in training. I dive into psychodynamic books for a living and try to simplify complex theories whenever I can.

💌 Newsletter: Get my psychodynamic library and updates in your inbox → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter
🤳 Instagram: Casual updates → https://instagram.com/psychodynamicpsychology

On this podcast, I sometimes dive into concrete theories and present them in the most concise and clear manner I can muster. Other times, like today, I take you behind the scenes of what I'm reading. Be prepared for an unscripted, chatty episode.

What I read in August 2024:
Erich Fromm, The Art of Loving: https://amzn.to/4esWJ68 (Amazon affiliate link)
W. R. D. Fairbairn, Psychoanalytic Studies of the Personality: https://amzn.to/3XQeJkf (Amazon affiliate link)
Mark Solms, The Neurobiological Underpinnings of Psychoanalytic Theory and Therapy: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00294/full#note21a

Resources mentioned in this episode:
My video on the neuropsychology of dreams: https://youtu.be/n048WanjScA

My video on different psychodynamic theories (an overview): https://youtu.be/gbmySNY-8Sw
My video on Melanie Klein: https://youtu.be/DnT8o1DF0VE
Thomas H. Ogden, Fear of Breakdown and the Unlived Life (2014)

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.
34 min
September 09, 2024 The Neuropsychology of Dreams | Mark Solms and Neuropsychoanalysis
Neuroscience and psychoanalysis seem like an odd pair. But they are not - at least to Mark Solms, the founder of Neuropsychoanalysis. In his book "The Hidden Spring", he summarises his fascinating findings on the neuropsychology of dreams and much more. This episode is NOT sponsored!

📖 Get the book here → https://amzn.to/3SB7tqg (Amazon affiliate link)
💌 Newsletter: Get my psychodynamic library and updates in your inbox → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter
🤳 Instagram: Casual updates → https://instagram.com/psychodynamicpsychology

If you're new here: Hi! My name is Alina, I'm a German psychologist and psychoanalyst in training. I dive into psychodynamic books for a living and try to simplify complex theories whenever I can.

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.
22 min
August 08, 2024Psychodynamic Books I Read in July
Are you a beginning psychodynamic practitioner looking for books to read? Welcome to your new home on the internet. I'm Alina, a German psychoanalyst in training and I love psychodynamic literature. So let me help you finding your next favourite read.
In this podcast episode I reflect on four books I read in July:
Adam Phillips: Attention-Seeking | Get it here (Amazon Affiliate link)

Christopher Bollas: The Shadow of the Object | Get it here (Amazon Affiliate link)

Deborah Luepnitz: Schopenhauer's Porcupines | Get it here (Amazon Affiliate link)

Mark Solms: The Hidden Spring | Get it here (Amazon Affiliate link)
If you want to get my database of all the psychodynamic books and articles I read (with ratings + my notes where possible), join my newsletter here to get it: https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter
If you are a (beginner) practitioner and you want to read and discuss books with me and other nerds, join my Patreon book club here: https://www.patreon.com/PsychodynamicPsychology
Other things mentioned:
Adam Phillips's essay "Against Self-Criticism": https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v37/n05/adam-phillips/against-self-criticism

Adam Phillips's essay "On Giving Up": https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v44/n01/adam-phillips/on-giving-up

The Illusion of Mental Health: https://preview.mailerlite.com/q5s5m2s6c8

X post about books: https://x.com/utotranslucence/status/1803159784457379971
42 min
June 07, 2024 Melanie Klein: The Paranoid-Schizoid and Depressive Position
Who's afraid of Melanie Klein? Well, hopefully not you after this episode. We talk about Melanie Klein's ideas surrounding the life and death instinct, the paranoid-schizoid position, and depressive position.
This is the audio version from the YouTube video, which I recommend watching for helpful graphics here: https://youtu.be/DnT8o1DF0VE
💌 Melanie Klein First Aid Kit: Get my notes and graphics ➡ https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/mk
Don't miss this
🟡 PATREON: Book Club ➡ https://patreon.com/PsychodynamicPsychology
🤳 INSTAGRAM: Casual updates ➡ https://instagram.com/psychodynamicpsychology
👩‍🏫 Work with me ➡ https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/work-with-me
RESOURCES mentioned
Klein's Biography: https://melanie-klein-trust.org.uk/timeline/
Object Relations Theory: https://youtu.be/Qt1bNJR5cp8?si=LQIO23ZC81QOSYU-
Psychoanalysis of Dwight Schrute: https://youtu.be/Xjbzbe0ubqU?si=fFxDeioffbWzP3Im
Kleinian case study: https://aeon.co/essays/my-dismal-years-in-psychoanalysis-with-melanie-kleins-disciple
LITERATURE
Klein, Melanie: "Love, Guilt, and Reparation and other works 1921-1945"
Klein, Melanie: "Envy and Gratitude"
Segal, Hanna: "Introduction to the Work of Melanie Klein"
Mitchell, Stephen A.; Black, Margaret J.: Freud and Beyond.
Guntrip, Harry: Psychoanalytic Theory, Therapy, and the Self.
27 min
January 12, 2024 On Feeling Behind in Life
If you're a millennial, you've likely experienced a feeling of being "behind in life" or a "fear of missing out". While most takes on this phenomenon focus on cultural issues ("toxic hustle culture", patriarchy, workaholism), I would like to tentatively explore an underlying topic of self-alienation. This is a work in progress.
📚 Join my book club → Patreon: ⁠https://patreon.com/psychodynamicpsychology⁠

19 min
January 12, 2024 What is Psychodynamic Psychology? (Beyond Psychotherapy + Freud)
What is psychodynamic psychology? What does it have to offer beyond psychotherapy (and frankly beyond Freud)? This is what today's episode is all about! We'll cover that psychodynamic psychology is (1) a treatment modality, (2) a body of knowledge, aaaand (3) a set of values. So, lemme drop some juicy theories on you while we're at it 💁🏼‍♀️ I hope you enjoy this one 😊
📚 Join my book club → Patreon: https://patreon.com/psychodynamicpsychology
💌 Join my newsletter: https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter
Connect with me on Instagram or YouTube
Feedback? Questions? Suggestions? Put 'em here: https://tally.so/r/w7LWZZ
Resources mentioned:
Nancy McWilliams' article "The Future of Psychoanalysis"
My YouTube video on defenses: https://youtu.be/tiQRJh0HL4E
A.J. Jacobs' honesty experiment: https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a26792/honesty0707/
26 min