But, by the same token, the acknowledge ment of the complex ways in which love and aggression merge and interact in the couple's life also highlights the mechanism by which love can integrate and neutralise aggression and, under many circumstances, triumph over it―. These statements do sum up the main themes of this book which deals with the unconscious fantasies with their roots in infantile sexuality which permeate a couple's relationship. The most central and important theme is the importance of a couple being able to contain aggression. He also focuses on the tolerance of ambivalence in the battle between love and hate in the couple as well as the relationship of the couple to the surrounding group and culture. It is an extremely wide-ranging book, spanning from a biological perspective to the socio-cultural, and it is interesting to read both personally and professionally. However, as with all Kernberg's writing, it is not easy to read as it is so dense and technical. It is jargon-filled and tends also to be repetitive. There is a lack of detailed case examples despite a number of case anecdotes. I do think, though that it is worth battling through this to reach Kernberg's insight, particularly about our ubiquitous bisexuality and the struggle towards mature sexual love. His discussion of sexual inhibitions and psychopathology, particularly perversion, is very interesting, especially in relation to the lack of integration of aggression in the couple. His writing on triangulations in relation to the couple and others, and the group or in society is also convincing. The section on masochism and teasing, where he describes the interplay between seduction and frustration, had a strong resonance. There is something very important to be understood in this book, but it is also very â€oe¿ teasingly― hidden behind an over-use of jargon.

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‘Compared with 20 – or even 10 years ago – the average professional’s work is nowadays much more likely to be costed, audited, used as an input for performance indicators, subjected to explicit budgetary or workload ceilings… and/or included within the scope of patient satisfaction surveys. In these senses then, the previous conception of individualistic professionalism has been progressively replaced… the contemporary ethos is much more one of the professional as a member of a team, and beyond that, of an employing organisation. The presumption is that the individual professional will be subject to the rules, plans and priorities of that organisation (as well, perhaps, as the increasingly codified guidelines of the profession itself).’(Harrison & Pollitt, 1994)‘To take an evidence-based approach and show preparedness to collaborate with outcome measurement and generally com ply with clinical and social care governance requirements. To present reports and research to a high clinical and academic standard.’From job description of an NHS Trainee Child Psychotherapist post.‘The principal distinction in the law of persons is this, that all hum an beings are either free or slaves’.Gaius, the Roman Jurist, approximately AD 160.

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