First Principles: A Psychoanalytic Framework for Ethical Practice

By Prof. Alessandra Lemma

Introduction

First Principles, a groundbreaking book by Prof. Alessandra Lemma, delves into the pivotal role of applied ethics in psychoanalytic practice. The book presents a comprehensive framework for developing and exercising an identifiable method – an ethical self-discipline – to support critical reflection on therapists’ psychoanalytic work with patients and to help them approach the resolution of ethical dilemmas.

Key Concepts and Framework

Integrating key concepts from the field of applied ethics, and bioethics specifically, Lemma re-interprets them for use within a psychoanalytic framework. The book articulates how we can understand psychoanalytically the concepts of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, justice, and veracity and deploy these to guide clinical work.

Clinical Applications and Teaching Ethics

Using clinical examples, the book outlines a working model for how therapists can reflect on their practice, as well as devoting a chapter on how to teach ethics within psychoanalytic psychotherapy trainings. A detailed curriculum for teaching ethics is also provided, making this book an essential resource for psychoanalytic practitioners, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, counsellors, and psychoanalysts who work in the psychoanalytic tradition.

Product Details

Published by Oxford University Press on August 1, 2023, this book is available in English and comprises 320 pages. The ISBN-10 is 0192858963, and the ISBN-13 is 978-0192858962.

Conclusion

First Principles offers a unique perspective on the integration of ethics into psychoanalytic practice, providing practitioners with a valuable tool for navigating complex ethical dilemmas. This book is a must-read for anyone working in the field of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.