Fantasies of omnipotence grow out of feelings of helplessness. We are all born helpless, completely dependent on others for nurturance and survival, and we all must face the ultimate annihilation of the self at the end of life. While fantasies of omnipotence help us to cope with these painful acts, they may also interfere with our ability to engage reality and deal with life. This important new book addresses all aspects of omnipotence, from the merger fantasies of the baby who feels like an extension of the powerful parent, to the rigid defense omnipotent fantasies of the frightened...

The term enactment has entered the clinical vocabulary and for many therapists, has replaced previous action terms such as acting in and acting out. The concept is the recognition of a process which may involve words, but which goes beyond words. For some, enactment addresses a continuous undercurrent in the interaction between patient and therapist. Others ask whether this concept adds either clarity or a new perspective to the clinical situation. Among the questions this volume addresses are: does the focus on enactments entail a change in the model of therapeutic change? Are enactments...