In the updated new edition, the author presents the most important treatment-related topics of psychoanalysis, such as the fundamental rule of free association, the working alliance, the psychoanalytic attitude of understanding, transference and countertransference, as well as interpretation and reconstruction. The reader is also familiarized with the basic principles of modern psychoanalysis through case examples. From a review of the first edition: "The style is brilliant, and I also consider the form of presentation chosen by Mertens to be pedagogically well thought out. ... the book is very successful ... and will secure a firm place as a standard work.".