'This is a welcome book for all practitioners of psychoanalytic psychotherapy at whatever level of training or experience. It is a series of essays on how assessments are done, by a number of people working in Clinical Service of the British Association of Psychotherapists. The extremely useful literature review brings together the important work in this understudied area of practice. The essays then follow each step from referral to the final preparation for treatment. Many of the wonderful vignettes demonstrate the extraordinary depth of insight that can be obtained at a first meeting, and the excitement of discovery which awaits the observant practitioner in an activity which often seems burdened with tension. Assessment can be seen as a unique form of relating and understanding other human beings and not to be anticipated simply as a chore-like overture to the real thing. This collection is significant amongst recent publications for its depth, understanding, sensitivity, and experience of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. In short, this is a compendium of massive experience, distilled in a straightforward way, about a topic not sufficiently reflected upon and reported.'- Bob Hinshelwood'This book addresses the complex task of psychoanalytic assessment. It consists of a comprehensive review of the literature, and contributions from various psychotherapists on the different aspects of the assessment process. It explores the deeper levels of communication that arise through the patient's narrative, the structure and its setting and its significance, transference/countertransference in the encounter, the possible meaning of non-verbal communication, and technical aspects such as frequency of sessions. The clinical vignettes give an illuminating insight into the technique of assessment which will prove invaluable to both future assessors and potential referrers.'- Antony Garelick
