1. Books on Object relations therapy

  • Object Relations Therapy, Cashdan, Sheldon
  • Object Relations in Psychoanalytic Theory, Greenburg, Jay and Mitchell, Stephen
  • Object Relations Theories and Psychopathology
  • Object Relations Brief Therapy, Stadter, Michael
  • Object relations theory is one of the contemporary Psychoanalytic theories and was introduced in the 40s in London. It’s a poor name for a great theory. A better name would be Personal Relations Theory. The theory is about interpersonal relationships and the internal representations of such and how those “internal objects” influence external relationships. Leading theorists were W.R.D. Fairbairn, Donald Winnicott, Melanie Klein and Harry Guntrip. The books listed here are applications of their work.

2. Books on Affective Neuroscience and Interpersonal Neurobiology.

  • A General Theory of Love, Lewis, Thomas, Amini, Fari and lannon, Richard
  • The Developing Mind, Siegel, Dan
  • Affect Regulation and the Disorders of the Self, Schore, Alan
  • Affect regulation and the Repair of the Self, Schore, Alan
  • Affective Neuroscience is the study of how the brain, particularly the Limbic region, develops throughout life. General Theory is quite accessible. Alan Schore’s books require a thorough knowledge of basic neuroscience.

3. Books on Attachment Theory

  • Becoming Attached, Karen, Robert
  • Origins of Attachment, Beebe, Beatrice and Lachman, Frank
  • Attachment, Intimacy and Autonomy, Holmes, Jeremy
  • Exploring in Security, Holmes, Jeremy
  • Attachment and Psychoanalysis, Eagle, Morris
  • Attachment, Bowly, John
  • Attachment theory was developed in the 50’s by John Bowlby in London. It is the study of how the earliest attachments, infant and caregiver are formed and change throughout life.

4. Books on Couples and marriage relationships.

  • Seven Principle for Marriage, Gottman, John
  • The Good Marriage, Wallerstein, Judith
  • Adult Attachment and Couple Psychotherapy, Clulow, Christopher
  • Hold Me Tight, Johnson, Sue

5. Books on Psychological trauma.

  • The Silent Past and the Invisible Present, Renn, Paul
  • The Body Keeps the Score, Van Der Kolk, Bessel