Psychodynamic Psychology

There were 5 books that had the biggest impact on my growth as a clinician in 2025. Some helped me improve my psychodynamic thinking. Others helped me gain an even deeper appreciation of the field (not that I needed that but a little extra never hurts). All of them made me excited about what there still is to learn.

💌 Psychodynamic Newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter

📖 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate links)
Book #1 → https://amzn.to/4hYD00h
Book #2 → https://amzn.to/43m3bIH
Book #3 → https://amzn.to/3QmtYxD
Book #4 → https://amzn.to/45WFYNL
Book #5 → https://amzn.to/3A79i84

EQUIPMENT (affiliate links)
Camera: https://amzn.to/40o7jah
Lens: https://amzn.to/420Igvb
Microphone: https://amzn.to/4fQQ0TN

DISCLAIMER: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. This description contains affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission at absolutely no extra cost for you if you decide to purchase an item or sign up for a free trial.

If you want to get a solid foundation in psychodynamic psychology, here are three books I'd put together into apersonal curriculum.

📖 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate links)
Book #1 → https://amzn.to/3WGLYWU
Book #2 → https://amzn.to/47tCx3n
Book #3 → https://amzn.to/4ouySZ9

💌 Psychodynamic Newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com

TIMESTAMPS
01:05 Book #1
04:59 Book #2
08:48 Book #3

DISCLAIMER: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. This description contains affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission at absolutely no extra cost for you if you decide to purchase an item or sign up for a free trial.

Anna Freud explores how altruism can be used to fend off anxiety (and fulfil "forbidden" wishes), with her interesting exploration of Altruism as a Defense.

💌 Psychodynamic Newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter

📖 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate link)
The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defense: https://amzn.to/467LwH9
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:16 Anna Freud
02:27 Defense Mechanisms
03:30 Altruism (as a Defense)
05:02 Why People Use Altruism as a Defense
06:45 How Altruism as a Defense Works
08:45 Consequences
10:15 (Superficial) Examples + Variations
14:33 My Takeaway

EQUIPMENT (affiliate links)
Camera: https://amzn.to/40o7jah
Lens: https://amzn.to/420Igvb
Microphone: https://amzn.to/4fQQ0TN
Music: https://share.epidemicsound.com/un7jc6

DISCLAIMER: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. This description contains affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission at absolutely no extra cost for you if you decide to purchase an item or sign up for a free trial.

This is an introduction to Anna Freud's concept of the Identification with the Aggressor (from her book The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence).
For more book recommendations and deep-dives into psychodynamic theory join my newsletter 💌 → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletterCORRECTION at 08:25: the term Anna Freud uses is not "acting out (=Ausagieren) aggression" but "abreaction (=Abreagieren) in the transference" in psychotherapy! I made a mistake.📖 Resources mentioned (Amazon affiliate link)Link to study: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255419693_Does_Venting_Anger_Feed_or_Extinguish_the_Flame_Catharsis_Rumination_Distraction_Anger_and_Aggressive_RespondingThe Ego and Mechanisms of Defense: https://amzn.to/4lhgctETIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction03:06 What is Identification with the Aggressor?05:41 "Prophylactic" Aggression06:55 Helpful vs. Unhelpful08:57 Back to the Study...I'm Alina, a German psychoanalyst in training. I share what I read and learn online to make psychodynamic theory more accessible.DISCLAIMER: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. This description contains affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission at absolutely no extra cost for you if you decide to purchase an item or sign up for a free trial.

👀 Curious about Karen Horney? My workshop is your shortcut to understand her core ideas (distilled from 2,000+ pages of her writing) including basic anxiety, neurotic trends, idealized self, tyranny of the shoulds, and more… in 150 minutes: https://karen-horney.teachery.co/checkout

📖 Books mentioned (Amazon affiliate links)
Book #1: https://amzn.to/3XOMuSO
Book #2: https://amzn.to/470yo55
Book #3: https://amzn.to/4cne9Qc

I'm Alina, a German psychoanalyst in training. On this channel, I introduce you to psychodynamic theory and help you find your next favourite book ;)

💌 Psychodynamic Library + Newsletter → https://psychodynamicpsychology.com/newsletter🤳
Instagram: Casual updates → https://instagram.com/psychodynamicpsychology

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro
00:39 My Karen Horney Workshop
01:14 Book #1
04:36 Book #2
06:42 Book #3

EQUIPMENT(affiliate links)
Camera: https://amzn.to/40o7jah
Lens: https://amzn.to/420Igvb
Microphone: https://amzn.to/4fQQ0TN
Music: https://share.epidemicsound.com/un7jc6

DISCLAIMER: The content provided is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. This description contains affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission at absolutely no extra cost for you if you decide to purchase an item or sign up for a free trial.