Self Psychology

The theorist most identified with the self-psychology movement is Heinz Kohut (1913–81), who viewed the development of a cohesive and positive sense of self as the motivation of all patients (Wolitzky, 2011). Unlike traditional Freudian theory, which considers narcissism as pathological and as something individuals typically move away from in the interest of pursuing love of others, Kohut saw narcissism as developing in either a healthy or unhealthy way. He viewed the development of love of self as being separate from love one develops for other objects and suggested that a love of others is not necessary to lead a fulfilling life (Eagle and Wolitzky, 1992). By making this claim, Kohut brought into question Freud's stance that individuals are driven by instinctual (or sexual) gratification (Kohut and Wolf, 1978). According to Kohut, healthy development is dependent on the ability of a child's parents to provide what Wolitzky (2011) terms ‘adequate empathic attunement’ (p. 90).

Failure of parents to provide appropriate empathy is seen as the source of most psychopathology. However, intensive therapy can reproduce the essential elements of the patient's early environment in order to make up the inadequate environment. The goal of therapy is not to interpret unconscious conflict but to help the patient to develop or strengthen one's sense of self. The experience of being fully understood by another person is seen as curative, in that it allows the patient to resume healthy growth.