[Page 2310]Object relations theory is one of the four major psychologies of psychoanalytic thought, and it constitutes a particular perspective on personality, development, and the conduct of psychotherapy. It forms the basis of contemporary object relations therapy and has been influential in the development of current analytic approaches such as attachment-based therapies as well as American relational and interpersonal therapies. Although it originated in the depth psychology of psychoanalysis and intensive psychotherapy in Great Britain, its impact has been global and goes beyond long-term analytic treatment. The object relations model has also been applied to brief therapy, family and couple therapy, and organizational/institutional consulting.

This approach puts the individual’s need to relate to others at the center of human development. When this experience with the caretaking ...