"The Transformational Self" concept is a fresh attempt to answer the question, "When does adolescence end?." It moves the discussion away from using traditional developmental tasks as indicators of the transition to the analysis of dynamic interactional processes gathered from an interdisciplinary context known as regulation theory.This book is an attempt to add to the theoretical discussion regarding the nature of the intrapsychic and interpersonal transformational changes associated with the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. The author introduces the concept of the Transformational Self, a phase-specific dimension of the neural self, and demonstrates the enhanced explanatory power that it offers in attempting to examine the sometimes dramatic shifting self-states accompanying the metamorphosis from adolescence into young adulthood. A necessary precondition for the emergence of the Transformational Self is the maturation of the pre-frontal cortex and its enhanced neural connectivity. With this biological achievement, executive functioning, a strengthened ego/self capacity, can arrive at a mature level of external stabilization and internal, intrapsychic structuralization. Conceptualized in self-referencing metaphor and expressed and reinforced through long term potentiation (repeated firing patterns of synchronous neural assemblies), the late adolescent reconfigured self-state becomes a true developmental potentiality evidenced by the use of different self (and other) representations. In other words, self referencing metaphor becomes the pathway to personal metamorphosis. The psychotherapies of two mid-adolescent girls illustrate the application of the Transformational Self concept.

This book is an attempt to add to the theoretical discussion regarding the nature of the intrapsychic and interpersonal transformational changes associated with the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. The author introduces the concept of the 'Transformational Self', a phase-specific dimension of the neural self, and demonstrates the enhanced explanatory power that it offers in attempting to examine the sometimes dramatic shifting self-states accompanying the metamorphosis from adolescence into young adulthood. A necessary precondition for the emergence of the Transformational Self is the maturation of the pre-frontal cortex and its enhanced neural connectivity. With this biological achievement, executive functioning, a strengthened ego/self capacity, can arrive at a mature level of external stabilization and internal, intrapsychic structuralization. Conceptualized in self-referencing metaphor and expressed and reinforced through long term potentiation (repeated firing patterns of synchronous neural assemblies), the late adolescent reconfigured self-state becomes a true developmental potentiality evidenced by the use of different self (and other) representations.

Psychoanalysis, Neuroscience and Adolescent Development: Non-Linear Perspectives on the Regulation of the Self explores how psychoanalysis can combine its theoretical perspectives with more recent discoveries about neurological and non-linear developmental processes that unfold during the period of puberty to young adulthood, to help inform understanding of contemporary adolescent behaviours and mental health issues. With the powerful impact of neuroscience research findings, opportunities emerge to create a new paradigm to attempt to organize specific psychoanalytic theories. Neurobiological regulation offers such an opportunity. By combining elements of domains of compatible knowledge into a flexible explanatory synergy, the potential for an intellectually satisfying theoretical framework can be created. In this work, Harold Bendicsen formulates a multi-disciplinary theoretical approach involving current research and drawing on neuroscience to consider the behaviour regulation processes of the mind/brain and the capacities and potential it brings to understanding the development of adolescents and young adults. Psychoanalysis, Neuroscience and Adolescent Development advances Bendicsen's study of adolescence and the transition to young adulthood, begun in The Transformational Self. It will be of great interest to psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists, as well as psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatrists and counsellors.

As the foundational theory of modern psychological practice, psychoanalysis and its attendant assumptions predominated well through most of the twentieth century. The influence of psychoanalytic theories of development was profound and still resonates in the thinking and practice of today's mental health professionals. Guide to Psychoanalytic Developmental Theories provides a succinct and reliable overview of what these theories are and where they came from. Ably combining theory, history, and biography it summarizes the theories of Freud and his successors against the broader evolution of analytic developmental theory itself, giving readers a deeper understanding of this history, and of their own theoretical stance and choices of interventions. Along the way, the authors discuss criteria for evaluating developmental theories, trace persistent methodological concerns, and shed intriguing light on what was considered normative child and adolescent behavior in earlier eras. Each major paradigm is represented by its most prominent figures such as Freud's drive theory, Erikson's life cycle theory, Bowlby's attachment theory, and Fonagy's neuropsychological attachment theory. For each, the Guide provides: biographical information a conceptual framework contributions to theory a clinical illustration or salient excerpt from their work. The Guide to Psychoanalytic Developmental Theories offers a foundational perspective for the graduate student in clinical or school psychology, counseling, or social work. Seasoned psychiatrists, analysts, and other clinical practitioners also may find it valuable to revisit these formative moments in the history of the field.

As the foundational theory of modern psychological practice, psychoanalysis and its attendant assumptions predominated well through most of the twentieth century. The influence of psychoanalytic theories of development was profound and still resonates in the thinking and practice of today s mental health professionals. Guide to Psychoanalytic Developmental Theories provides a succinct and reliable overview of what these theories are and where they came from. Ably combining theory, history, and biography it summarizes the theories of Freud and his successors against the broader evolution of analytic developmental theory itself, giving readers a deeper understanding of this history, and of their own theoretical stance and choices of interventions. Along the way, the authors discuss criteria for evaluating developmental theories, trace persistent methodological concerns, and shed intriguing light on what was considered normative child and adolescent behavior in earlier eras.

Each major paradigm is represented by its most prominent figures such as Freud s drive theory, Erikson s life cycle theory, Bowlby s attachment theory, and Fonagy s neuropsychological attachment theory. For each, the Guide provides:

• biographical information
• a conceptual framework
• contributions to theory
• a clinical illustration or salient excerpt from their work.

The Guide to Psychoanalytic Developmental Theories offers a foundational perspective for the graduate student in clinical or school psychology, counseling, or social work. Seasoned psychiatrists, analysts, and other clinical practitioners also may find it valuable to revisit these formative moments in the history of the field."

Psychoanalysis, Neuroscience and Adolescent Development: Non-Linear Perspectives on the Regulation of the Self explores how psychoanalysis can combine its theoretical perspectives with more recent discoveries about neurological and non-linear developmental processes that unfold during the period of puberty to young adulthood, to help inform understanding of contemporary adolescent behaviours and mental health issues. With the powerful impact of neuroscience research findings, opportunities emerge to create a new paradigm to attempt to organize specific psychoanalytic theories. Neurobiological regulation offers such an opportunity. By combining elements of domains of compatible knowledge into a flexible explanatory synergy, the potential for an intellectually satisfying theoretical framework can be created. In this work, Harold Bendicsen formulates a multi-disciplinary theoretical approach involving current research and drawing on neuroscience to consider the behaviour regulation processes of the mind/brain and the capacities and potential it brings to understanding the development of adolescents and young adults. Psychoanalysis, Neuroscience and Adolescent Development advances Bendicsen's study of adolescence and the transition to young adulthood, begun in The Transformational Self. It will be of great interest to psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists, as well as psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatrists and counsellors.