The Masterson Approach is situated within psychoanalytic and psychodynamic traditions and focuses particularly on the development of the self, object relations, and the formation of enduring patterns in a person’s experience of themselves and others.

Developed through the work of James F. Masterson and colleagues who subsequently extended this tradition, the approach brings together object relations theory, theories of the self, and developmental perspectives within a clinical framework.

Self, Object Relations and Development

Within the Masterson Approach, a person’s experience of themselves and others is considered in relation to early developmental processes. Experiences of closeness, separation, autonomy, and dependence may contribute to patterns that recur in relationships and in the person’s experience of self.

One of the important concepts within this framework is self-activation. Movement toward expressing one’s own wishes, needs, capacities, and direction may be accompanied by difficult affects and psychological defenses.

Abandonment Depression and Defenses

Masterson used the term abandonment depression to describe a constellation of affects that may emerge in connection with self-activation. The concept is not limited to depression in its ordinary sense and can encompass experiences including anxiety, anger, guilt, helplessness, and emptiness.

Within this framework, psychological defenses are considered in relation to the regulation or avoidance of these difficult experiences. The relationship between self-activation, abandonment depression, and defenses is therefore central to understanding enduring patterns within the Masterson Approach.

Borderline, Narcissistic and Schizoid Organizations

In the work of Masterson and later contributors to this tradition, borderline, narcissistic, and schizoid organizations have been examined from the perspectives of object relations and the development of the self.

These distinctions provide ways of considering differences in how the self, the other, and relationships are experienced rather than merely functioning as descriptive labels.

My Training and Continuing Work

Between 2021 and 2024, I completed the three-year Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy of the Disorders of the Self program of the International Masterson Institute in New York. The training included theoretical study and supervision conducted in English.

I continue my theoretical studies and supervision processes related to the Masterson Approach and to psychoanalytic and psychodynamic theories as part of my ongoing professional development.

For information about sessions or to get in touch, please visit the Contact page.