Kohut’s Twinship Across Cultures: The Psychology of Being Human

213 Pages·2015·1.28 MB·English

by  Koichi Togashi

“Original and groundbreaking, this book by Togashi and Kottler constitutes the
most important contribution to self psychology’s theory in many years, and thus
expands also the range of relational psychoanalysis. Their focus on experience of
otherness in yearning for connection, for the sense of being human among humans,
will make this a classic. A great gift for every clinician.”
Donna Orange, Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity,
New York, USA
“In a work of superb scholarship, Togashi and Kottler offer an expansion and
refinement of Kohut’s concept of twinship (which originated in his studies of
narcissism) entailing a delicate balance of sameness and difference that constitutes a
sense of what I prefer to call existential kinship, of being a human among humans.
They show with rich and convincing clinical examples how twinship/existential
kinship experiences in the therapeutic relationship can be enormously beneficial for
those who suffer from profound feelings of alienation, estrangement, meaninglessness,
and existential anguish—feelings that are a ubiquitous legacy of emotional trauma.”
Robert D. Stolorow, Ph.D., author, World, Affectivity, Trauma:
Heidegger and post-Cartesian psychoanalysis
“This is an important book. Too often psychoanalysis is perceived as a
universalizing theory that neglects the cultures and contexts of psychological
experience. The authors, one from Japan, the other from South Africa, bring their
unique perspectives to bear on the question of human relating. They suggest that
while the human need to relate is present across cultures, it is shaped by the
specific cultural practices in which each person develops. Chapters on the role of
cultural difference and gendered discourses illustrate the veracity of their
perspective. The authors convincingly demonstrate the evolving nature of
contemporary self-psychology and its intersection with relational psychoanalysis.
Above all this is a study of what it means to be human and how to think about the
fundamental issues raised by our relational existence.”
Roger Frie, Ph.D., Psy.D., R. Psych, Professor,
Simon Fraser University and University of British Columbia, Canada
“Arguably Heinz Kohut’s most central, phenomenologically based concept, the
twinship selfobject experience ultimately has its roots in what it means to be
human among humans, and to feel at home. Togashi and Kottler masterfully
elaborate and expand these fundamental themes in highly original and creative
directions—a testament to how cutting edge contemporary psychoanalysis and
psychotherapy continue to be. Reflecting a true advance in our field, and with
exceptional scholarship, these authors bring into striking relief the dialectical role
of sameness and difference, and the role of traumatic dehumanization as the
darker side of what it means to be human: that we are relentlessly vulnerable. This
seminal work is a must-read for all clinicians wanting to deepen their immersion
in and understanding of their patient’s humanness, sense of belongingness, and
the embedded vulnerability inherent in being a human among humans.”
William J. Coburn, Ph.D., Psy.D., Founding Editor,
Emeritus, International Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology
“Awakening us to the profound importance of twinship through their penetrating
exploration of this complex phenomenon, Togashi and Kottler not only deepen
our understanding of what it means to be human but, perhaps even more
importantly, show us what it means to suffer the devastating loss of a sense of
being human. They provide new ways of understanding the ethnic, cultural and
societal contexts of the human condition through their introduction of such
evocative concepts as ‘the mutual finding of oneself and not oneself in the other,’
and ‘self-place experience.’ Richly detailed clinical vignettes that bring their
theoretical innovations into clear focus make this a must-read for clinicians of
every persuasion.”
Doris Brothers, Ph.D., co-founder and faculty member,
Training and Research in Intersubjective Self Psychology Foundation (TRISP),
author, Toward a Psychology of Uncertainty: Trauma-centered psychoanalysis
“Koichi Togashi and Amanda Kottler joined forces to rescue the twinship
experience from its too often neglected place as a bit player on the psychoanalytic
stage. In so doing they have given the practicing clinician an enormous gift. These
two seasoned therapists, familiar with their own cultures (Japanese and South
African) and experienced in western psychotherapy practice have conceptualized
detailed and accessible clinical work that bridges the longing for twinship
experiences with what it means to be human, in the context of the analyst’s
intimate participation in the therapeutic process. Their detailed and compelling
clinical vignettes and case histories illustrate the widely sought-after twinship
experience, the feeling ‘I am like you and you are like me’ as it appears in carried
guises and simultaneously embodies basic human needs. This book will sensitize
western clinicians to these subtle but urgent longings. The cultural diversity at the
core of this book will be of benefit to all analyst–patient dyads since the twinship
experience calls for a joint humanity that is at the heart of psychoanalytic
treatment.”
Frank M. Lachmann, Ph.D., Founding Faculty,
Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity, New York, USA
Kohut’s Twinship Across
Cultures
Kohut’s Twinship Across Cultures: The Psychology of Being Human chronicles a
ten-year voyage in which the authors struggled, initially independently, to make
sense of Kohut’s intentions when he radically redefined the twinship experience
to one of being “a human being among other human beings.”
Commencing with an exploration of Kohut’s work on twinship and an illustration
of the value of what he left for elaboration, Togashi and Kottler proceed to
introduce a new and very different sensitivity to understanding particular psycho-
analytic relational processes and ideas about human existential anguish, trauma,
and the meaning of life. Together they tackle the twinship concept, which has often
been misunderstood and about which little has been written. Uniquely, the book
expands and elaborates upon Kohut’s final definition: being “a human being
among other human beings.” It problematizes this apparently simple concept with
a wide range of clinical material, demonstrating the complexity of the statement
and the intricacies involved in recognizing and working with traumatized patients
who have never experienced this feeling. It asks how a sense of being human, as
opposed to being described as human, can be generated and how this might help
clinicians to better understand and work with trauma.
Written for psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists interested in
self-psychological, intersubjective, and relational theories, Kohut’s Twinship
Across Cultures will also be invaluable to clinicians working in the broader areas
of psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, social work, psychiatry, and education. It will
enrich their sensitivity and capacity to understand and treat traumatized patients
and the alienation they feel among other human beings.
Koichi Togashi, Ph.D., L.P. is a Professor at Konan University, Kobe, Japan, and
a Faculty and Training and Supervising Analyst at TRISP, New York, USA. He
works in private practice in Kobe and Hiroshima, Japan.
Amanda Kottler, M.A. (Clinical Psychology) was a Senior Lecturer at the
University of Cape Town for a number of years. She works in private practice in
Cape Town, South Africa.
PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES
JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG
SERIES EDITOR
Like its counterpart, Psychoanalytic Inquiry: A Topical Journal for Mental
Health Professionals, the Psychoanalytic Inquiry Book Series presents a
diversity of subjects within a diversity of approaches to those subjects.  Under
the editorship of Joseph Lichtenberg, in collaboration with Melvin Bornstein
and the editorial board of Psychoanalytic Inquiry, the volumes in this series
strike a balance between research, theory, and clinical application. We are
honored to have published the works of various innovators in psychoanalysis,
such as Frank Lachmann, James Fosshage, Robert Stolorow, Donna Orange,
Louis Sander, Léon Wurmser, James Grotstein, Joseph Jones, Doris Brothers,
Fredric Busch, and Joseph Lichtenberg, among others. 
The series includes books and monographs on mainline psychoanalytic
topics, such as sexuality, narcissism, trauma, homosexuality, jealousy, envy,
and varied aspects of analytic process and technique.  In our efforts to broaden
the field of analytic interest, the series has incorporated and embraced
innovative discoveries in infant research, self psychology, intersubjectivity,
motivational systems, affects as process, responses to cancer, borderline
states, contextualism, postmodernism, attachment research and theory,
medication, and mentalization. As further investigations in psychoanalysis
come to fruition, we seek to present them in readable, easily comprehensible
writing.
After 25 years, the core vision of this series remains the investigation,
analysis and discussion of developments on the cutting edge of the psycho-
analytic field, inspired by a boundless spirit of inquiry.
PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES
JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG
SERIES EDITOR
Vol. 2 Vol. 18
Psychoanalysis and Infant Research Kohut, Loewald, and the Postmoderns:
Joseph D. Lichtenberg A Comparative Study of Self and
Relationship
Vol. 8 Judith Guss Teicholz
Psychoanalytic Treatment:
An Intersubjective Approach Vol. 19
Robert D. Stolorow, Bernard Brandchaft, A Spirit of Inquiry:
& George E. Atwood Communication in Psychoanalysis
Joseph D. Lichtenberg,
Vol. 10 Frank M. Lachmann, &
Psychoanalysis and Motivation James L. Fosshage
Joseph D. Lichtenberg
Vol. 20
Vol. 12 Craft and Spirit:
Contexts of Being: A Guide to Exploratory
The Intersubjective Foundations Psychotherapies
of Psychological Life Joseph D. Lichtenberg
Robert D. Stolorow & George E. Atwood
Vol. 21
Vol. 13 Attachment and Sexuality
Self and Motivational Systems: Diana Diamond, Sidney J. Blatt,
Toward a Theory of Psychoanalytic & Joseph D. Lichtenberg (eds.)
Technique
Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Vol. 22
Frank M. Lachmann, & Psychotherapy and Medication:
James L. Fosshage The Challenge of Integration
Fredric N. Busch & Larry S. Sandberg
Vol. 14
Affects as Process: Vol. 23
An Inquiry into the Centrality Trauma and Human Existence:
of Affect in Psychological Life Autobiographical, Psychoanalytic,
Joseph M. Jones and Philosophical Reflections
Robert D. Stolorow
Vol. 16
The Clinical Exchange: Vol. 24
Techniques Derived from Jealousy and Envy:
Self and Motivational Systems New Views about Two Powerful
Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Feelings
Lachmann, & James L. Fosshage Léon Wurmser & Heidrun Jarass
(eds.)
Vol. 17
Working Intersubjectively: Vol. 25
Contextualism in Psychoanalytic Practice Sensuality and Sexuality
Donna M. Orange, George E. Atwood, across the Divide of Shame
& Robert D. Stolorow Joseph D. Lichtenberg
Vol. 26 Vol. 34
Living Systems, Evolving Consciousness, Change in Psychoanalysis:
and the Emerging Person: A Selection An Analyst’s Reflections on the
of Papers from the Life Work of Therapeutic Relationship
Louis Sander Chris Jaenicke
Gherardo Amadei &
Ilaria Bianchi (eds.) Vol. 35
World, Affectivity, Trauma:
Vol. 27 Heidegger and Post-Cartesian
Toward a Psychology of Uncertainty: Psychoanalysis
Trauma-Centered Psychoanalysis Robert D. Stolorow
Doris Brothers
Vol. 36
Vol. 28 Manual of Panic Focused Psychodynamic
Transforming Narcissism: Psychotherapy – eXtended Range
Fredric N. Busch, Barbara L. Milrod,
Reflections on Empathy, Humor,
Meriamne B. Singer, & Andrew C.
and Expectations
Aronson
Frank M. Lachmann
Vol. 37
Vol. 29
The Abyss of Madness
Mentalization:
George E. Atwood
Theoretical Considerations, Research
Findings, and Clinical Implications
Vol. 38
Fredric N. Busch (ed.)
Self Experiences in Group, Revisited:
Affective Attachments, Intersubjective
Vol. 30
Regulations, and Human Understanding
From Psychoanalytic Narrative
Irene Harwood, Walter Stone,
to Empirical Single Case Research:
& Malcolm Pines (eds.)
Implications for Psychoanalytic Practice
Horst Kächele, Joseph Schachter,
Vol. 39
Helmut Thomä & the Ulm Psychoanalytic
Nothing Good Is Allowed to Stand:
Process Research Study Group
An Integrative View of the
Negative Therapeutic Reaction
Vol. 31
Léon Wurmser & Heidrun Jarass (eds.)
Toward an Emancipatory Psychoanalysis:
Brandchaft’s Intersubjective Vol. 40
Vision Growth and Turbulence in the Container/
Bernard Brandchaft, Shelley Doctors, Contained: Bion’s Continuing Legacy
& Dorienne Sorter Howard B. Levine & Lawrence J. Brown
(eds.)
Vol. 32
Persons in Context: Vol. 41
The Challenge of Individuality Metaphor and Fields: Common Ground,
in Theory and Practice Common Language and the Future of
Roger Frie & William J. Coburn (eds.) Psychoanalysis
S. Montana Katz (ed)
Vol. 33
Psychoanalysis and Motivational Vol. 42
Systems: Psychoanalytic Complexity: Clinical
A New Look Attitudes
Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. for Therapeutic Change
Lachmann, & James L. Fosshage William J. Coburn
Vol. 43 Out of Print titles in the PI Series
Structures of Subjectivity:
Explorations in Psychoanalytic Vol. 1
Phenomenology and Contextualism, Reflections on Self Psychology
2nd Edition Joseph D. Lichtenberg & Samuel Kaplan
George E. Atwood and Robert D. (eds.)
Stolorow
Vol. 3
Vol. 44 Empathy, Volumes I & II
The Search for a Relational Home: Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Melvin Bornstein,
An Intersubjective View of & Donald Silver (eds.)
Therapeutic Action
Chris Jaenicke Vol. 4
Structures of Subjectivity:
Vol. 45 Explorations in Psychoanalytic
Creative Analysis: Art, Creativity Phenomenology
and Clinical Process George E. Atwood & Robert D. Stolorow
George Hagman
Vol. 5
Vol. 46 Toward a Comprehensive Model for
A Rumor of Empathy: Resistance, Schizophrenic Disorders:
Narrative and Recovery in Psychoanalytic Essays
Psychoanalysis and in Memory of Ping-Nie Pao
Psychotherapy David B. Feinsilver
Lou Agosta
Vol. 6
Vol. 47 The Borderline Patient:
Enlivening the Self: The First Year, Emerging Concepts in Diagnosis,
Clinical Enrichment, Psychodynamics, and Treatment, Vol. 1
and The Wandering Mind James S. Grotstein, Marion F. Solomon,
Joseph D. Lichtenberg, James L. Fosshage & Joan A. Lang (eds.)
& Frank M. Lachmann
Vol. 7
Vol. 48 The Borderline Patient:
Kohut’s Twinship Across Cultures: Emerging Concepts in Diagnosis,
The Psychology of Being Human Psychodynamics, and Treatment, Vol. 2
Koichi Togashi and Amanda Kottler James S. Grotstein, Marion F. Solomon,
& Joan A. Lang (eds.)
Vol. 49
Psychoanalytic Theory, Research Vol. 9
and Clinical Practice: Female Homosexuality:
Reading Joseph D. Lichtenberg Choice without Volition
Linda Gunsberg & Sandra G. Hershberg Elaine V. Siegel
Vol. 11
Cancer Stories: Creativity and Self-Repair
Esther Dreifuss-Kattan
Vol. 15
Understanding Therapeutic Action:
Psychodynamic Concepts of Cure
Lawrence E. Lifson (ed.)
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Kohut’s Twinship Across
Cultures
The Psychology of Being Human
Koichi Togashi and
Amanda Kottler