ABSTRACT

Illustrated with richly detailed clinical vignettes, Seeds of Illness, Seeds of Recovery offers a fascinating investigation into the origins, modes and treatment of psychical suffering.

Antonino Ferro provides a clear account of his conception of the way the mind works, his interpretation of the analytic understanding of psychopathology, his reconceptualization of the therapeutic process, and implications for analytic technique derived from his view of the therapeutic action of psychoanalysis.

Drawing on and developing the ideas of Wilfred Bion, Ferro gives a unique perspective on subjects including:

  • Container Inadequacy and Violent Emotions
  • The waking dream and narrations
  • 'Evidence': starting again from Bion
  • Self-analysis and gradients of functioning in the analyst.

This highly original approach to the problem of therapeutic factors in psychoanalysis will be of interest to all practising and training psychoanalysts and psychotherapists.