Ego states are the parts of our personality that cause us to act
different ways in different situations. Ego state theory, derived from
the ego psychology of Paul Federn and recent developments in the area of
dissociation, links normal personality functioning with its extremes,
such as found in dissociative identity disorder. Integrating
psychoanalytic practice and hypnoanalytic techniques, it encourages
discovery and exploration of covert ego states, thereby effecting
behavior change. This psychodynamic therapy fulfills the need for an
efficient approach that achieves the goals of psychoanalysis, including
the lifting of repressions, the working through of resistances, the
securing of insight, and the development of maturity and long-lasting
stability in personality structure. Although ego state therapy has a
solid psychoanalytic rationale, it achieves significant, permanent
results in a comparatively short time. With clear language and
illustrative case extracts, the recognized originators of ego state
therapy explain this fascinating theory and how to put it into practice.
They also present objective follow-up research studies comparing
effectiveness of this approach with others and address the current
controversy over false memories and the implications for forensic
practice. Here is an innovative perspective on personality theory and
therapy that psychoanalysts, hypnotherapists, researchers, and MPD/DID
therapists will find intriguing.
