This course provides a systematic overview of basic concepts in self psychology, with an emphasis on the integration of theory and clinical work. The conceptual framework offered by the psychoanalytic psychology of the self provides an integrated view of normal development, psychopathology, and the treatment process. This framework can be used to understand a broad range of individuals who are vulnerable to difficulty in maintaining self-esteem, regulating internal tension, and accomplishing life goals. This course begins with a review of self psychology views of normal development, psychopathology, and the treatment process. The concepts of self-object experience and the empathic mode of observation are emphasized, along with a re-examination of traditional psychoanalytic concepts of defense, resistance, transference, and counter transference. The course also briefly addresses how self psychology theory can be applied to issues of differing age groups/developmental tasks (children, adolescents, parenting, elderly), problems (child abuse, trauma), and modalities (marital, family, and group psychotherapy).