Fundamentals of Psychoanalytic Technique: A Lacanian Approach for Practitioners Paperback – April 26, 2011

Lacan is a fascinating thinker but famously difficult to read. I've been reading Lacan and Lacanian commentators on and off for 20 years. Only in the past few years have I felt as if I'm getting a handle on Lacan, and Bruce Fink's two decades of work deserve most of the credit.Fink's "Fundamentals" discusses the basics of clinical interaction from a Lacanian perspective, covering everything from the art of interpretation, to how the Lacanian approach differs in practice from other psychoanalytic approaches, to discussion of often misunderstood details such as variable-length sessions. All of these are discussed in a straightforward way: with a minimum of Lacanian jargon and theoretical complexity, a large dose of actual case excerpts, and extensive citation and analysis of dominant ego psychology and other psychoanalytic approaches.Fink provides scathing critiques of several psychoanalytic concepts that are prevalent in mainstream ego psychology and object relations approaches. He dissects the concepts of "projective identification", which he argues is little more than ego aggrandizement and power politics by the analyst, and "unconscious affect", which he argues is a terribly confused notion. Both critiques are compelling; even if one does not agree, they demonstrate the need for a return to solid clinical reality and coherent theory rather than acceptance of prevailing dogma.Fink makes a strong case for returning to the details of clinical interaction: how to listen carefully, the importance of attending to literal words from patients, and how clinicians should be humble enough to attend to patients' own experiences rather than immediately assuming that everything is about the therapist (i.e., transference).Despite years of studying and practicing ego psychology and object relations approaches, I've often felt uncomfortable with them and sensed that the earlier, structural notions of Freud contained truths that had been jettisoned (or even repressed) too completely in modern theories. Fink provided a framework to help me think about this. I'm not convinced that his is the only answer, as clearly there are good clinicians working on all sides of psychoanalytic theory. But his perspective is worth hearing and makes a substantial contribution to the field and to individual clinical work.In terms of how this relates to other books on Lacanian approaches, this text has the best mixture of readability and applicability for practitioners. Fink's own "Clinical Introduction" is more comprehensive, but is also more difficult, with a larger dose of Lacanian theory, and less focused on immediate application and case-based examples. His "Lacanian Subject" is a good exposition of theory, but with less specific clinical focus. My suggestion would be for practitioners to read Fink backwards in time: start with "Fundamentals", then either "Clinical Introduction" (for the most applied clinical text) or "Lacan to the Letter" (if starting to read Lacan), and then "Subject".For interested Lacan readers who are not clinicians, a better sequence might be Joel Dor's "Introduction", which is a brilliant exposition of Lacan's theory of the unconscious, followed by Fink's "Lacanian Subject", and then "Lacan to the Letter" or one of the clinical works, if interested. Besides reading commentaries, the sooner that one experiences Lacan directly, the better; Fink's Ecrits is a brilliant translation.In "Fundamentals", Fink refers a few times to other clinical works in progress. I'm eagerly awaiting them. Enjoy -- and may Fink's letters continue to reach their destination.

Bruce Fink has established himself as one of the foremost--if not the foremost--authority of Lacanian psychoanalysis. His first book The Lacanian Subject was a tour de force that situated Lacan and psychoanalysis in the Western philosophical tradition. His second book A Clinical Introduction to Lacanian Psychoanalysis demonstrated without question that Lacan was true to Freud's conception of psychoanalysis as an experience. And his third book Lacan to the Letter showed that he was perhaps Lacan's most astute commentator, certainly in the English language. He also translated Seminar XX and the entire Ecrits, the latter of which won an award for translation. There is no questioning Fink's fluency in the language of psychoanalysis.In this new book, Fundamentals of Psychoanalytic Technique, Fink builds on his Clinical Introduction to produce a fresh picture of how the Lacanian analyst approaches treatment, and of particular value, he contrasts the Lacanian approach to other contemporary schools of psychoanalysis, showing their fundamental differences. In a very conversational style and with plenty of examples, Fink shows just how different the Lacanian sees clinical experience, which speaks very loudly that Lacanian psychoanalysis is not simply abstract theory but provides a real framework for working with analysands. In the past, it was not always clear what was at stake between Lacan and say Bion, but now Fink rectifies that, presenting the reader with a decision to be made.Fink also extends his approach to the psychoses, which he introduced in the Clinical Introduction, showing the importance of Lacanian diagnostic categories and the bankruptcy of other forms of diagnosis. He also hints at a potential book on the psychoses in a footnote, which I hope is a promise. (He also hints at a more advance book on technique that would deal with the end of analysis, again I hope a promise. He does however promise a new book on love in Lacan.)Two things became clear to me while reading this book. 1) Lacan is truly a Freudian. In all of his descriptions, Fink's approach struck me as not so different from classical Freudian technique, which distinguishes the Lacanian approach from other schools. It seems to me that in his historical moment, Lacan must have been confronted with a strong desire by other theorists to depart from Freud--perhaps, succumbing to the caricatures of Freud that were becoming popular rather than refuting them. Lacan thus turned to the latest goings on in linguistics (perhaps for legitimacy, perhaps to prove that Freud anticipated it) to defend Freudian insights. In other words, if Freud had modern linguistics at his disposal, he would have been a Lacanian. 2) Lacanian psychoanalysis is not simply an abstract theory that can be used to radicalize analyses of contemporary culture, the so delicious moment when psychoanalysis reveals a deeper reversal in a cultural analysis (for example, all who criticize a hated figure are actually in love with it). Psychoanalysis is and always will be an experience. It is precisely its status as an experience that allows it to illuminate so much about contemporary life, not the other way around.This brings me to the issue of audience. Fink addresses his book to clinicians. The other reviewers have reviewed it from the perspective of clinicians. But I want to argue that theorists and philosophers would gain tremendously from reading this book--in particular what psychoanalysis is really all about. Fink himself admits that Lacanians (particularly in France) have not spoken or written too much specific technique, which has led to a lamentable situation where almost everything attempts to pass itself off as Lacanian. I discern the same thing going on in contemporary critical theory. It almost makes no difference one's personal stake in or experience with psychoanalysis--all that is needed is to be able to use some jargon (signifier, real, symbolic, Other, etc.) effectively. Or that Lacanian psychoanalysis is really valueable for film criticism, not for analyzing modern psychology. Theorists would do well to drop the false division between theory and practice that has been erected in psychoanalysis. No such division should exist. The dropping of that imaginary division would then show that one cannot throw psychoanalytic categories around will nilly. Thus, reading this book will be profoundly instructive for those who self-identify as psychoanalytic theorists. It also, for the same reason, serves as a wonderful introduction to Lacanian as well as Freudian psychoanalysis (similar to Clinical Introduction). I also venture to say that it would be a great read for all of those "lay analysts" who desire to bring psychoanalysis to their field (i.e. education, social work, medical care, etc.). Indeed, this book is addressed not simply to the clinician but "To whom it may concern."This brings me back to my characterization of Fink as one of the most important Lacanian theorists. It is perhaps debateable who has done more for Lacan: Fink, Copjec, Screen, of course, Zizek... Let me stake my claim: it is unequivocally Fink. Not only because he has devoted himself to bringing Lacan to the English language speaker via translation and introduction. But also because he has been most faithful to the spirit and reality of psychoanalysis. Seeing Lacan thrown about in so many conversations of theory has given the impression that Lacanian psychoanalysis is a boutique theory that should be handled by initiates for analyzing literature and film. By acting so allergically to the practice of psychoanalysis (and I am not talking only about the restricted form of practice in the clinic, but its practical application in other social situations), these theorists have contributed to the divorce of theory and practice as well as to the abstraction of psychoanaysis. Fink is almost alone in combating this trend. And for that alone he deserves to be recognized as the most important Lacanian. His book, Fundamentals, is thus a major statement.

Fink does a great job at translation as we know 'something is always lost in translation' and Fink understanding this, works hard to use proper work choice, explanatory notes and fidelity to the original text to craft a clear and cognizant book .

In a healthy counterbalance to our current skew towards relationally, Lacans takes us back to an alert focus on the text of our clients speech.

Very interesting introduction to the essence of the psychanalytic practice, from a lacanian, as it is stated, perspective; that is to say from a perspective that remains most faithful to the main principles of the freudian discovery. Bruce Fink manages to make the lacanian way understandable to people who might have difficulty-or resistance- to apprehend the original literature, without any compromise and without being less original himself, and contributes greatly to a restoration of the psychanalytic practice there where it tends to meet crucial deadends. A must for every practitioner of the psychanalytic field, but for everyone who would like to know how psychanalysis cures today also.

Very easy to read. I appreciated the clarity with with Bruce Fink introduces Lacanian technique. I am looking forward to reading more by the author.