Over the past decade, the Portuguese Psychoanalytical Society took the opportunity to restructure and redefine their organisation. As part of this process, they invited outstanding psychoanalysts from all over the world to present their thoughts, reflections, and clinical investigations. These conferences, workshops, and working groups helped shape the modern society, bringing in vibrant new ideas.
Reflections on Contemporary Psychoanalytic Thought showcases the best of these significant contributions with chapters from David Bell, Franco Borgogno, Luis J. Martín Cabré, R. D. Hinshelwood, Howard B. Levine, Andrea Marzi, Sérgio Eduardo Nick, Leopold Nosek, Fernando Orduz, Éric Smadja, and Virginia Ungar. Each chapter begins with an introduction from one of the editors, Rui Aragão Oliveira, Maria José Gonçalves, and João Diniz, which contextualises their impact at the time, the transformations they brought about, and their continuing relevance to the psychoanalytic community. Grouped into two stimulating sections – Psychoanalysis and contemporaneity and Theory of psychoanalytic technique – the book is an absolute must-read for all psychoanalysts and will be of interest to other mental health professionals, students, and anyone interested in engaging with contemporary psychoanalytic concepts.
William Glover, President, American Psychoanalytic Association –
‘This collection of lectures presented to the Portuguese Psychoanalytic Society contains some of the best psychoanalytic papers of the past decade. The editors contextualize the relevance of international psychoanalytic thought to the development of their society. It is an exemplary case study of how an institution benefits from participation in global psychoanalytic exchanges.’
Jan Abram, training and supervising analyst (British Psychoanalytical Society), author of ‘The Surviving Object: Clinical Essays on Psychic Survival-of-the-object’ –
‘This book is a refreshing reminder of the history and contemporary values of clinical psychoanalysis. congratulations to the Portuguese editors who have created a very readable collection of inspiring chapters that span a truly international heritage. The two chapters on Ferenczi’s work, especially, illuminate how Lisbon analysts do not forget this much-neglected author but rather celebrate the humanity of his particular contribution to psychoanalysis. I strongly recommend this slim but mind-expanding volume and hope we see more collections of this kind from Lisbon in the future.’
Stefano Bolognini, past President of the Italian Psychoanalytic Society and of the International Psychoanalytical Association –
‘On the shore of the ocean of the unconscious, once again Lisbon is confirmed as an ideal starting port for adventurous exploration – in this case, scientific exploration – thanks to the confluence and thoughtful contribution of masters of psychoanalysis from all parts of the world. The Lisbon lectures, organised by the Portuguese Psychoanalytical Society, have a truly wide, intercontinental cultural scope, and the reader will find some impressive essays to fascinate both professionals and laypeople interested in the developments of contemporary humanity.’
Marilia Aisenstein, training and supervising analyst in the Hellenic Psychoanalytical Society and the Paris Psychoanalytical Society, and past President of the Paris Psychoanalytical Society –
‘Reflections on Contemporary Psychoanalytic Thought is an impressive book, which describes the psychoanalytic landscape of both theory and technique. It opens on a remarkable paper by R. D. Hinshelwood and includes contributions from many other eminent psychoanalysts. Each chapter is introduced by one of the editors, contextualising the way the lecture was received and the transformations it promoted in the community of Portuguese psychoanalysts.’