Object Relations Theory is a set of theoretical ideas that form one of the major schools of psychoanalysis and informs a large part of contemporary psychodynamic practice. It studies the internal world of people and how they relate to themselves and others while influenced by their own imagination, fantasies, fears, and anxieties that have emerged from their earliest interactions.

Meet the expert
Prateek is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist working with The Green Oak Initiative in Bangalore. He completed his MPhil and clinical training at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru. He is currently a fellow in his 2nd year at the Washington Baltimore Center for Psychoanalysis, USA. In his practice, Prateek works with a diverse set of patients emerging from varying social and cultural backgrounds.

Learning outcomes

• A comprehensive account of how object relation theories will help you understand human development, personality, and the emergence of psychological problems.
• Guidance on how to incorporate these theoretical frameworks in your formulations and enrich the lens through which you understand psychopathology and overall clinical work.