“Original and groundbreaking, this book by Togashi and Kottler constitutes the most important contribution to self psychology’s theory in many years, and thus expands also the range of relational psychoanalysis. Their focus on experience of otherness in yearning for connection, for the sense of being human among humans, will make this a classic. A great gift for every clinician.” Donna Orange, Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity, New York, USA “In a work of superb scholarship, Togashi and Kottler offer an expansion and refinement of Kohut’s concept of twinship (which originated in his studies of narcissism) entailing a delicate balance of sameness and difference that constitutes a sense of what I prefer to call existential kinship, of being a human among humans. They show with rich and convincing clinical examples how twinship/existential kinship experiences in the therapeutic relationship can be enormously beneficial for those who suffer from profound feelings of alienation, estrangement, meaninglessness, and existential anguish—feelings that are a ubiquitous legacy of emotional trauma.” Robert D. Stolorow, Ph.D., author, World, Affectivity, Trauma: Heidegger and post-Cartesian psychoanalysis “This is an important book. Too often psychoanalysis is perceived as a universalizing theory that neglects the cultures and contexts of psychological experience. The authors, one from Japan, the other from South Africa, bring their unique perspectives to bear on the question of human relating. They suggest that while the human need to relate is present across cultures, it is shaped by the specific cultural practices in which each person develops. Chapters on the role of cultural difference and gendered discourses illustrate the veracity of their perspective. The authors convincingly demonstrate the evolving nature of contemporary self-psychology and its intersection with relational psychoanalysis. Above all this is a study of what it means to be human and how to think about the fundamental issues raised by our relational existence.” Roger Frie, Ph.D., Psy.D., R. Psych, Professor, Simon Fraser University and University of British Columbia, Canada “Arguably Heinz Kohut’s most central, phenomenologically based concept, the twinship selfobject experience ultimately has its roots in what it means to be human among humans, and to feel at home. Togashi and Kottler masterfully elaborate and expand these fundamental themes in highly original and creative directions—a testament to how cutting edge contemporary psychoanalysis and psychotherapy continue to be. Reflecting a true advance in our field, and with exceptional scholarship, these authors bring into striking relief the dialectical role of sameness and difference, and the role of traumatic dehumanization as the darker side of what it means to be human: that we are relentlessly vulnerable. This seminal work is a must-read for all clinicians wanting to deepen their immersion in and understanding of their patient’s humanness, sense of belongingness, and the embedded vulnerability inherent in being a human among humans.” William J. Coburn, Ph.D., Psy.D., Founding Editor, Emeritus, International Journal of Psychoanalytic Self Psychology “Awakening us to the profound importance of twinship through their penetrating exploration of this complex phenomenon, Togashi and Kottler not only deepen our understanding of what it means to be human but, perhaps even more importantly, show us what it means to suffer the devastating loss of a sense of being human. They provide new ways of understanding the ethnic, cultural and societal contexts of the human condition through their introduction of such evocative concepts as ‘the mutual finding of oneself and not oneself in the other,’ and ‘self-place experience.’ Richly detailed clinical vignettes that bring their theoretical innovations into clear focus make this a must-read for clinicians of every persuasion.” Doris Brothers, Ph.D., co-founder and faculty member, Training and Research in Intersubjective Self Psychology Foundation (TRISP), author, Toward a Psychology of Uncertainty: Trauma-centered psychoanalysis “Koichi Togashi and Amanda Kottler joined forces to rescue the twinship experience from its too often neglected place as a bit player on the psychoanalytic stage. In so doing they have given the practicing clinician an enormous gift. These two seasoned therapists, familiar with their own cultures (Japanese and South African) and experienced in western psychotherapy practice have conceptualized detailed and accessible clinical work that bridges the longing for twinship experiences with what it means to be human, in the context of the analyst’s intimate participation in the therapeutic process. Their detailed and compelling clinical vignettes and case histories illustrate the widely sought-after twinship experience, the feeling ‘I am like you and you are like me’ as it appears in carried guises and simultaneously embodies basic human needs. This book will sensitize western clinicians to these subtle but urgent longings. The cultural diversity at the core of this book will be of benefit to all analyst–patient dyads since the twinship experience calls for a joint humanity that is at the heart of psychoanalytic treatment.” Frank M. Lachmann, Ph.D., Founding Faculty, Institute for the Psychoanalytic Study of Subjectivity, New York, USA Kohut’s Twinship Across Cultures Kohut’s Twinship Across Cultures: The Psychology of Being Human chronicles a ten-year voyage in which the authors struggled, initially independently, to make sense of Kohut’s intentions when he radically redefined the twinship experience to one of being “a human being among other human beings.” Commencing with an exploration of Kohut’s work on twinship and an illustration of the value of what he left for elaboration, Togashi and Kottler proceed to introduce a new and very different sensitivity to understanding particular psycho- analytic relational processes and ideas about human existential anguish, trauma, and the meaning of life. Together they tackle the twinship concept, which has often been misunderstood and about which little has been written. Uniquely, the book expands and elaborates upon Kohut’s final definition: being “a human being among other human beings.” It problematizes this apparently simple concept with a wide range of clinical material, demonstrating the complexity of the statement and the intricacies involved in recognizing and working with traumatized patients who have never experienced this feeling. It asks how a sense of being human, as opposed to being described as human, can be generated and how this might help clinicians to better understand and work with trauma. Written for psychoanalysts and psychoanalytic psychotherapists interested in self-psychological, intersubjective, and relational theories, Kohut’s Twinship Across Cultures will also be invaluable to clinicians working in the broader areas of psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, social work, psychiatry, and education. It will enrich their sensitivity and capacity to understand and treat traumatized patients and the alienation they feel among other human beings. Koichi Togashi, Ph.D., L.P. is a Professor at Konan University, Kobe, Japan, and a Faculty and Training and Supervising Analyst at TRISP, New York, USA. He works in private practice in Kobe and Hiroshima, Japan. Amanda Kottler, M.A. (Clinical Psychology) was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town for a number of years. She works in private practice in Cape Town, South Africa. PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG SERIES EDITOR Like its counterpart, Psychoanalytic Inquiry: A Topical Journal for Mental Health Professionals, the Psychoanalytic Inquiry Book Series presents a diversity of subjects within a diversity of approaches to those subjects.  Under the editorship of Joseph Lichtenberg, in collaboration with Melvin Bornstein and the editorial board of Psychoanalytic Inquiry, the volumes in this series strike a balance between research, theory, and clinical application. We are honored to have published the works of various innovators in psychoanalysis, such as Frank Lachmann, James Fosshage, Robert Stolorow, Donna Orange, Louis Sander, Léon Wurmser, James Grotstein, Joseph Jones, Doris Brothers, Fredric Busch, and Joseph Lichtenberg, among others.  The series includes books and monographs on mainline psychoanalytic topics, such as sexuality, narcissism, trauma, homosexuality, jealousy, envy, and varied aspects of analytic process and technique.  In our efforts to broaden the field of analytic interest, the series has incorporated and embraced innovative discoveries in infant research, self psychology, intersubjectivity, motivational systems, affects as process, responses to cancer, borderline states, contextualism, postmodernism, attachment research and theory, medication, and mentalization. As further investigations in psychoanalysis come to fruition, we seek to present them in readable, easily comprehensible writing. After 25 years, the core vision of this series remains the investigation, analysis and discussion of developments on the cutting edge of the psycho- analytic field, inspired by a boundless spirit of inquiry. PSYCHOANALYTIC INQUIRY BOOK SERIES JOSEPH D. LICHTENBERG SERIES EDITOR Vol. 2 Vol. 18 Psychoanalysis and Infant Research Kohut, Loewald, and the Postmoderns: Joseph D. Lichtenberg A Comparative Study of Self and Relationship Vol. 8 Judith Guss Teicholz Psychoanalytic Treatment: An Intersubjective Approach Vol. 19 Robert D. Stolorow, Bernard Brandchaft, A Spirit of Inquiry: & George E. Atwood Communication in Psychoanalysis Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Vol. 10 Frank M. Lachmann, & Psychoanalysis and Motivation James L. Fosshage Joseph D. Lichtenberg Vol. 20 Vol. 12 Craft and Spirit: Contexts of Being: A Guide to Exploratory The Intersubjective Foundations Psychotherapies of Psychological Life Joseph D. Lichtenberg Robert D. Stolorow & George E. Atwood Vol. 21 Vol. 13 Attachment and Sexuality Self and Motivational Systems: Diana Diamond, Sidney J. Blatt, Toward a Theory of Psychoanalytic & Joseph D. Lichtenberg (eds.) Technique Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Vol. 22 Frank M. Lachmann, & Psychotherapy and Medication: James L. Fosshage The Challenge of Integration Fredric N. Busch & Larry S. Sandberg Vol. 14 Affects as Process: Vol. 23 An Inquiry into the Centrality Trauma and Human Existence: of Affect in Psychological Life Autobiographical, Psychoanalytic, Joseph M. Jones and Philosophical Reflections Robert D. Stolorow Vol. 16 The Clinical Exchange: Vol. 24 Techniques Derived from Jealousy and Envy: Self and Motivational Systems New Views about Two Powerful Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. Feelings Lachmann, & James L. Fosshage Léon Wurmser & Heidrun Jarass (eds.) Vol. 17 Working Intersubjectively: Vol. 25 Contextualism in Psychoanalytic Practice Sensuality and Sexuality Donna M. Orange, George E. Atwood, across the Divide of Shame & Robert D. Stolorow Joseph D. Lichtenberg Vol. 26 Vol. 34 Living Systems, Evolving Consciousness, Change in Psychoanalysis: and the Emerging Person: A Selection An Analyst’s Reflections on the of Papers from the Life Work of Therapeutic Relationship Louis Sander Chris Jaenicke Gherardo Amadei & Ilaria Bianchi (eds.) Vol. 35 World, Affectivity, Trauma: Vol. 27 Heidegger and Post-Cartesian Toward a Psychology of Uncertainty: Psychoanalysis Trauma-Centered Psychoanalysis Robert D. Stolorow Doris Brothers Vol. 36 Vol. 28 Manual of Panic Focused Psychodynamic Transforming Narcissism: Psychotherapy – eXtended Range Fredric N. Busch, Barbara L. Milrod, Reflections on Empathy, Humor, Meriamne B. Singer, & Andrew C. and Expectations Aronson Frank M. Lachmann Vol. 37 Vol. 29 The Abyss of Madness Mentalization: George E. Atwood Theoretical Considerations, Research Findings, and Clinical Implications Vol. 38 Fredric N. Busch (ed.) Self Experiences in Group, Revisited: Affective Attachments, Intersubjective Vol. 30 Regulations, and Human Understanding From Psychoanalytic Narrative Irene Harwood, Walter Stone, to Empirical Single Case Research: & Malcolm Pines (eds.) Implications for Psychoanalytic Practice Horst Kächele, Joseph Schachter, Vol. 39 Helmut Thomä & the Ulm Psychoanalytic Nothing Good Is Allowed to Stand: Process Research Study Group An Integrative View of the Negative Therapeutic Reaction Vol. 31 Léon Wurmser & Heidrun Jarass (eds.) Toward an Emancipatory Psychoanalysis: Brandchaft’s Intersubjective Vol. 40 Vision Growth and Turbulence in the Container/ Bernard Brandchaft, Shelley Doctors, Contained: Bion’s Continuing Legacy & Dorienne Sorter Howard B. Levine & Lawrence J. Brown (eds.) Vol. 32 Persons in Context: Vol. 41 The Challenge of Individuality Metaphor and Fields: Common Ground, in Theory and Practice Common Language and the Future of Roger Frie & William J. Coburn (eds.) Psychoanalysis S. Montana Katz (ed) Vol. 33 Psychoanalysis and Motivational Vol. 42 Systems: Psychoanalytic Complexity: Clinical A New Look Attitudes Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Frank M. for Therapeutic Change Lachmann, & James L. Fosshage William J. Coburn Vol. 43 Out of Print titles in the PI Series Structures of Subjectivity: Explorations in Psychoanalytic Vol. 1 Phenomenology and Contextualism, Reflections on Self Psychology 2nd Edition Joseph D. Lichtenberg & Samuel Kaplan George E. Atwood and Robert D. (eds.) Stolorow Vol. 3 Vol. 44 Empathy, Volumes I & II The Search for a Relational Home: Joseph D. Lichtenberg, Melvin Bornstein, An Intersubjective View of & Donald Silver (eds.) Therapeutic Action Chris Jaenicke Vol. 4 Structures of Subjectivity: Vol. 45 Explorations in Psychoanalytic Creative Analysis: Art, Creativity Phenomenology and Clinical Process George E. Atwood & Robert D. Stolorow George Hagman Vol. 5 Vol. 46 Toward a Comprehensive Model for A Rumor of Empathy: Resistance, Schizophrenic Disorders: Narrative and Recovery in Psychoanalytic Essays Psychoanalysis and in Memory of Ping-Nie Pao Psychotherapy David B. Feinsilver Lou Agosta Vol. 6 Vol. 47 The Borderline Patient: Enlivening the Self: The First Year, Emerging Concepts in Diagnosis, Clinical Enrichment, Psychodynamics, and Treatment, Vol. 1 and The Wandering Mind James S. Grotstein, Marion F. Solomon, Joseph D. Lichtenberg, James L. Fosshage & Joan A. Lang (eds.) & Frank M. Lachmann Vol. 7 Vol. 48 The Borderline Patient: Kohut’s Twinship Across Cultures: Emerging Concepts in Diagnosis, The Psychology of Being Human Psychodynamics, and Treatment, Vol. 2 Koichi Togashi and Amanda Kottler James S. Grotstein, Marion F. Solomon, & Joan A. Lang (eds.) Vol. 49 Psychoanalytic Theory, Research Vol. 9 and Clinical Practice: Female Homosexuality: Reading Joseph D. Lichtenberg Choice without Volition Linda Gunsberg & Sandra G. Hershberg Elaine V. Siegel Vol. 11 Cancer Stories: Creativity and Self-Repair Esther Dreifuss-Kattan Vol. 15 Understanding Therapeutic Action: Psychodynamic Concepts of Cure Lawrence E. Lifson (ed.) This page intentionally left blank Kohut’s Twinship Across Cultures The Psychology of Being Human Koichi Togashi and Amanda Kottler