Critique of Regression: A Psychoanalytic Model of Irreversible Lifespan Development

The Critique of Regression offers a thorough critique of regression and presents the first psychoanalytic theory of irreversible lifespan development. It demonstrates that when we revisit the past, we remake it in light of the present, and the analysis of the past is always an exploration of the present. Gregory S. Rizzolo argues that the traditional notion of regression operates as an intellectual defense against the mourning process and that the task of analysis is to cultivate the potential for novelty in each moment. This work will interest new and experienced psychoanalytic clinicians who want to go beyond traditional theories of development.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 04 December 2018
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Critique of Regression is a groundbreaking psychoanalytic work that offers a comprehensive critique of regression and presents the first psychoanalytic theory of irreversible lifespan development. This book delves into the clinical implications of regression, emphasizing the transformative power of revisiting the past in light of the present. Through three chapter-length psychoanalytic cases, Gregory S. Rizzolo demonstrates that where we perceive returns or regressions to past stages of the lifespan, we are actually witnessing the emergence of novel structures in subjective experience. Rizzolo views human development as a process of mourning, where we confront and internalize the residue of a past that we cannot return to. The traditional notion of regression, which perpetuates the illusion of a literal return, serves as an intellectual defense against the mourning process. By critiquing this concept, analysts aim to address the defense and confront the loss of past relationships and versions of selfhood that are inherent in development. From the realm of mourning, new configurations of desire, defense, and subjective meaning emerge, fostering the potential for novelty and growth at every moment. This thought-provoking work appeals to both new and experienced psychoanalytic clinicians who seek to expand their understanding of human development beyond traditional theories. By exploring the complexities of regression, clinicians can better assist their patients in navigating the challenges of change and growth throughout their lifespan.

Weight: 712g
Dimension: 233 x 160 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138624405