This is the first of a two-volume study of psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Volume I deals with theoretical principles. It first discusses the current state of psychoanalytic theory and its controversies and then gives a detailed overview of the principles behind every aspect of treatment, from the initial contact to termination. Together with Volume II, this work provides a comprehensive textbook of contemporary psychoanalaytic treatment. Volume II deals with clinical studies. A parallel to Volume I, it gives detailed clinical accounts of every aspect of treatment, from the initial contact to termination. This work completes a comprehensive picture of contemporary psychoanalytic treatment.