Developmental theory is the essence of any psychodynamic psychother-
apy, and certainly of psychoanalysis. It is through an understanding of
progressive life events, and the way these events relate to associated
biological and social events, that we come to understand both psycho-
pathology and psychological strengths. For a long time we have needed a
clinically oriented book that surveys normal development in both
childhood and adulthood. This book should be particularly helpful to all
mental health professionals whose daily work requires a constant
awareness and appraisal of devel- opmental issues. Dr. Colarusso has
integrated and summarized a tremen- dous amount of theoretical,
empirical, and clinical material in a format that makes it come alive
through clinical examples. This book should be of great interest to all
students of human behav- ior as well as to seasoned clinicians. SHERWYN
M. WOODS, M. D., PH. D. vii Preface Each year as I gave a lecture series
on child and adult development to the adult and child psychiatric
residents at the University of California at San Diego, someone
inevitably would ask, "Is there a book that I could understand that has
all of this information in it?" I would reply that I did not know of any
single source, but I could refer the person to many articles and books
on development.