In Session, on the Thread of Affect and Emotion: Contemporary Approaches

With contributions from Sara Boffito, Lesley Caldwell, Roosevelt Cassorla, Giuseppe Civitarese, Maria Teresa Flores, Be´atrice Ithier, Howard B. Levine, Ruggero Levy, Mauro Manica, Maria Grazia Oldoïni, and Rene´ Roussillon.

Contemporary psychoanalytic thought has revolutionised psychoanalysis by placing emotion at the heart of the analytical process. This book focuses on the affect and emotion of leading international authors who represent this pioneering new metapsychology of links, which connects the work of Winnicott and Bion.

In Session, on the Thread of Affect and Emotion: Contemporary Approaches is divided into four parts. The first looks at the Freudian and Bionian models and the book begins its journey with an investigation of Freudian metapsychology from Rene´ Roussillon. The second part explores the aesthetic dimension of psychoanalysis and the link with truth, with a focus on emotions, dreams, and non-dreams. The third part concerns defensive issues experienced by the analyst and patient in the consulting room and the fourth and final part concerns the intersubjectivity of affect. Mauro Manica and Maria Grazia Oldoïni highlight the shift that occurred with Melanie Klein and confirmed by Wilfred Bion in his theory of early links between love, hate, knowledge.

It is interesting to see the differing approaches of these contributors from many different countries: France, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Whilst their approach to affect and emotion is influenced by their own cultural specificities and creativity, they all emphasise not only the shared affect, but also the emotional presence between the two protagonists. In this way, they give access to the deepest affective sediments, making this a must-read for all practising psychoanalysts and those with an academic interest.