Let the patients teach you what they need: Richard Geist in conversation with Diana Lidofsky on his journey in Self Psychology – and getting from there to here

Abstract

Many years ago, knowing nothing about Self Psychology, I attended my first Self Psychology conference at the behest of a friend. I didn’t understand much of the vocabulary, but I knew that I had come upon a way of understanding human psychological life that could explain much of what I—a relatively new therapist—was experiencing with my patients, but had no theory for. I knew that I needed to learn more, and I soon discovered that Dick Geist was the person to see. A gifted and empathic teacher, Dick provided the best possible introduction to Self Psychology, and I will always be grateful. After all these years, I was delighted to interview my colleague and friend.