ABSTRACT

In this chapter a case is presented to demonstrate Intersubjective Self Psychology (ISP) in action. Ricky was a depressed, reactive, and dangerously acting-out young adult who was poorly equipped to understand his emotional world. Working from the perspective of Intersubjective Self Psychology the therapist came to understand Ricky through the process of empathic exploration, and introduced Ricky to the potential for self-awareness and self-soothing. The selfobject themes that guided the treatment are described as well as the leading and trailing edges of both patient and therapist. The overlapping selfobject experiences of patient and therapist formed the intersubjective field that was the foundation in which generative and repetitive themes were explored. The treatment fostered Ricky’s self-development, helping him grow into a young man capable of impulse control, emotional regulation, and self-knowledge.