This volume investigates the clinical boundaries and therapeutic efficacy of therapist responsiveness within the framework of self psychology. Arnold I. Goldberg, a prominent figure in the development of self psychology, compiles clinical essays that examine how the analyst's degree of engagement influences the patient's self-cohesion. The text evaluates the tension between traditional analytic neutrality and the necessity of empathetic responsiveness in treating narcissistic and borderline personality structures.

Experts in the field of psychoanalysis recognize this series as a vital record of the evolution of self psychology. Practitioners frequently consult these volumes for their detailed exploration of the clinical nuances inherent in long-term psychodynamic therapy.