Heinz Kohut

Lore & Background

He was an only child. His mother's relationship with him has been described as 'narcissistic enmeshment.' He attended a regular elementary school and later the Döblinger Gymnasium. His mother also emigrated to Chicago. His teaching at the institute became his primary commitment; he rewrote the curriculum and taught the two-year theory course for a decade.

Reader's Guide

Heinz Kohut's significance lies in his development of self psychology, which helped transform modern analytic and dynamic treatment approaches. His work shifted focus from classical drive theory to the importance of the self and empathic understanding in therapy. Kohut's teaching at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis was considered brilliant, though some noted it could make students passive. He believed analysts should be scientists, not technicians, warning that otherwise psychoanalysis would be assimilated into dynamic psychiatry. His legacy includes influencing how clinicians understand narcissism and the therapeutic relationship, though the article notes his early career success was mixed and he had one case with which he failed miserably. His approach emphasized letting the patient's agenda guide the analysis, taking as long as needed for the patient to get well.

Did You Know?

• Kohut attended a regular elementary school, not tutors until fifth grade.
• His mother's relationship with him has been described as 'narcissistic enmeshment.'