He psychoanalysis and Freudian theories are one of the aspects of the history of psychology that generate the most interest. However, psychoanalytic theory and practice are based on a sea of concepts that are not particularly easy to understand, which makes it difficult for students and the curious who want to get started through psychoanalysis books.
This selection with recommended books on psychoanalysis wants to be a help for these people who doubt among the large number of pages that have been written on the subject. At the beginning, psychoanalysis books in Spanish are presented, and at the end of the article there is an extension with readings in English.
If what you are looking for is to be able to read books on psychoanalysis in Spanish, this selection will be useful to you. Here you will find a selection of works to get you started on the subject.
1. “Introduction to psychoanalysis”, by Sigmund Freud
A work that is among the books of Sigmund Freud most important and that has a special value, by offering us a vision about the way in which the father of the psychodynamic current understood psychoanalysis. Among its pages, explanations are offered about the Freudian conception of mental disorders, the unconscious and the way in which it manifests itself.
2. “Psychoanalysis: the impossible profession”, by Janet Malcolm
This is one of the psychoanalysis books that present this discipline in a more original way. Instead of simply reviewing Freud’s legacy in an academic or encyclopedic tone, This work focuses on the work of a psychoanalyst and the way in which dialogue with him allows us to learn about his life training and the connection between what he does and the history of psychoanalysis.
3. “The interpretation of dreams”, by Sigmund Freud
One of the oldest psychoanalysis books written in the decade in which Sigmund Freud finished theoretically developing his first ideas about the unconscious and its role in psychopathology.
The father of psychoanalysis believed that elements belonging to our unconscious are revealed in our dreams, disguised through special symbology. That is why He believed that interpreting these dreams was one of the pillars on which therapy could be based since in this way traumas and emotional blockages based on past experiences could be intuited.
4. “The ego and the id”, by Sigmund Freud
This is one of the most important books on psychoanalysis, since it explains ego structures: the Id, the Ego and the Superego. For Freud, each of these psychic instances had a role in the moral dimension of our actions and thoughts and served to explain what defense mechanisms are for and what produces frustration and repression.
5. “The Black Book of Psychoanalysis”, by Catherine Meyer
Essential reading to learn about the criticisms of psychoanalysis and its status in relation to science as it is currently understood. People who have little knowledge about psychoanalysis will understand what its limitations are from a post-positivist perspective, and those who are more versed in the subject will reflect on the things they had learned before.
Another of Freud’s most important books on psychoanalysis Its pages explain the way in which the individual’s impulses rub against external pressures coming from culture according to the Freudian vision.
You can buy it by clicking here.
7. “Theory and Technique of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy”, by J. Coderch
Anyone who wants to know the practical proposals that have been made from psychoanalysis will find in this work a very complete book. Here the elements that relate all the techniques promoted by psychoanalysts to each other are explained
Click here to get it.
8. “Beyond the pleasure principle”, by Sigmund Freud
In this book, Freud develops the concepts of life drives and death drives and an explanation of repetitive and stereotyped behaviors.
If you are interested, you can start your purchase here.
9. “Psychoanalysis available to everyone”, by Antoni Talarn
A relatively short and tremendously accessible book about psychoanalysis and the social impact it has had and continues to have. Also very useful to identify false topics about psychoanalysis.
You can find more information about the book by clicking here.
10. “Three essays on sexual theory”, by Sigmund Freud
The sexual dimension has a very important role in Freud’s ideas, and this book is a very good way to access his ideas on the subject. The theory of psychosexual development is outlined within its pages.
You can read more about this work here.
More psychoanalysis books to continue learning
If languages are not a problem for you, here you can see some of the most notable titles to read about psychoanalysis.
11. “Introduction to Psychoanalysis: contemporary Theory and Practice”, by A. Bateman and J. Holmes
One of the best books on psychoanalysis for students Its relative brevity and the clarity with which it explains the historical journey of psychoanalysis, mixing theory with examples, make it one of the best options to have a global vision of the subject.
12. “Freud and Beyond”, by SA Mitchell and MJ Black
An excellent introductory book to psychoanalytic theory and practice and its historical development after Freud’s death. Very suitable for learning about the way in which psychoanalysis has evolved in the decades after the 1930s.
You can get more information about the book by accessing this page.
13. “Beyond Freud: from Individual to Social Psychology”, by Erich Fromm
Erich Fromm was one of the most renowned psychoanalysts with a humanistic approach and in this work he presents part of the journey that psychoanalysis took from the original ideas of Sigmund Freud to the point at which his disciples began to create different schools within the current of psychodynamics.
You can read more about the book here.
14. “The how-to book for Students of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy”, by S. Bach
A very short book on psychoanalysis in which the basic concepts are explained clearly and simply. to understand theory and practice.
You can learn more about this book here.
15. “Working with Resistance” by Martha Stark
One of the best books on psychoanalysis applied to therapeutic processes; It explains complex concepts in a very accessible way which makes this work a very interesting option for students.
If you would like to know more about the book, click here.
16. “Writings”, by Jacques Lacan
One of the options for those people who want to face a challenge. This reference of the movement that began with Freud is known for how difficult it is to understand and because, furthermore, his way of transmitting ideas was, basically, through conferences. However, his influence has survived to this day.
17. “A clinical introduction to Lacanian psychoanalysis”, by Bruce Fink
One of the best support books to understand Lacan’s work, shedding new light on his writings.
If you are interested, you can find it here.
18. “Studies on hysteria”, by Josef Breuer and S. Freud
A work to explore the beginnings of psychoanalysis from one of the people who most influenced Sigmund Freud and the father of psychoanalysis himself.
You can read more about this work by clicking here.
Bonus: “Psychologically Speaking”, by Adrián Triglia, Bertrand Regader and Jonathan García-Allen
It is not a book focused strictly on the world of psychoanalysis, but a general tour of all the schools of psychology, with their teachings, theories and concepts If you want to have a deep look at authors like Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung or Alfred Adler (but at the same time you want to get to know other figures like Carl Rogers, Wilhelm Wundt or Albert Bandura), this book is for you.
