The Basic Fault: Therapeutic Aspects of Regression

by Michael Balint

When it was first published in 1968, Michael Balint's The Basic Fault laid the groundwork for a far-ranging reformation in psychoanalytic theory. This reformation is still incomplete, for it remains true today that despite the proliferation of techniques and schools, we do not know which are more correct or more successful--and all psychoanalysts continue to encounter intractable cases of mental disorder. Balint argues that ordinary "rigid" techniques and theories are doomed to failure in such cases because of their emphasis on interpretation.

The Basic Fault continues to illuminate the crucial current issues in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy in general: the nature of self, the role of developmental defects, the value of empathy, and the central importance of the relationship between therapist and patient. This paperback edition includes a foreword by Paul H. Ornstein discussing the impact of Balint's work at the time of its publication and its continued importance now.

Genres: Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Nonfiction

205 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Michael Balint was a Hungarian psychoanalyst who spent most of his adult life in England. He was a proponent of the Object Relations school.

Reviews

[Marty Babits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balint is a treasure. He is imaginative and compassionate. One of the greatest psychoanalytic writers. Would you enjoy it if you were not a professional in the psychotherapy field? I think so. He sweeps you along with a broad intelligence that goes far below the surface of everyday experience. This book let me in on a fact that I hadn't really known until I read this book: I enjoyed reading about psychoanalytic ideas. His work is somewhat challenging but not in an academic way. It helps you think about your own expeirence. In a way it reminds me of a writer like Barbara Tuchman--she writes about history but you don't have to love reading about history to love her writing. In fact, you don't even have to love reading! You just have to love using reading to have an experience that involves coming in direct contact with the fabric of a large swath of reality--you have to love discovering depth and sequence in events that shape peoples' lives. Same is true with Michael Balint's work.

[Paul Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating book and Balint comes over as a interesting and very likeable character. I don't agree with his views on language and its limits - we tend to think that words can never say as much as actions or gestures, but forget that words are not just about conveying information but can be so full of feeling that are very similar to gestures - but I think his distinction between problems at the Oedipal level and problems at the level of the basic fault is very thought-provoking. I also think this book raises a lot of interesting issues about what goes on between an analyst and his patient and the technical questions that raises. Definitely enjoyed reading (and will definitely read again at some point).

[Simón · Rating 5 out of 5]

buenardo