Nina Coltart Books

Not simply a "how to" manual but, rather, an amalgam of down-to-earth practicality that talks about assessment, the pleasures of psychotherapy as opposed to psychoanalysis, details of how to run a practice, vivid clinical stories which don't always turn out well, discussions of Buddhism, and an autobiographical finale on the difficult balance between life and work. Written in deceptively simple language, this comprehensive guide not only encourages beginners on this path, but also offers new perspectives to mid-career and experienced therapists and teachers. The voice of Nina Coltart comes through clearly, as does her love of psychotherapy and her desire for all who practise to experience 'survival-with-enjoyment'. Her unflinching honesty is a joy to read; this is a book that addresses practicalities - right down to the decoration of the therapy room - and talks openly about the many paradoxes of this unique profession. Celebrating psychotherapy and its practitioners, Dr Coltart's book is full of interesting and practical advice that both experienced and novice psychotherapists will find invaluable. This enduring classic has stood the test of time and should be a feature of every aficionado's bookshelf. This reissued classic contains a new Foreword from David E. Scharff and an updated Further Reading section. Book jacket.

A collection of papers, forming a useful introduction to, and expression of, English psychoanalysis in the Independent Tradition.

In 1982, Nina Coltart gave a paper to the English-Speaking Conference of Psychoanalysts called 'Slouching towards Bethlehem... or Thinking the Unthinkable in Psychoanalysis' which created a stir and brought her to the attention of the psychoanalytic community. Ten years later, she produced her first book - this book - which contains her seminal paper alongside so many others of note. Full of eloquent, meaningful, and provocative clinical stories, Nina Coltart exposes the full truth of the therapeutic process, where an analyst may occasionally stray from orthodox practice but through such lapses may sometimes achieve hitherto unforeseen breakthroughs in treatment. This volume introduced Coltart's characteristic style of journeying through important issues in analytic practice. She elaborates on the use of intuition, the 'special' attention required by an analyst, the value of silence, and of humour, and the importance of psychosomatic processes - the way the body speaks through psychosomatic symptoms. All vitally relevant today and utterly groundbreaking at the time.