The Self and the Ego in Psychotherapy presents an understanding of people as uniquely human and valuable within relationships. In N. Gregory Hamilton's view, the traditional mental functions of perception, memory, cognition, emotional balance, action, and modulation of self-expectation gain importance only in that they are part of and serve the purposes of the self in relation to others. Building upon work by previous object relations theorists (Fairbairn, Winnicott, Klein, Bion, Kernberg, Grotstein, Rinsley, and Ogden), Hamilton changes object relations theory in subtle, yet fundamental ways. This is a book about clinical theory and approach. Yet, with its abundance of examples and clear language, it is a guide to good therapeutic work.
