Dr. Nesci and colleagues have written a book that integrates classical psychoanalytic theory, anthropology, the use of 21st century media technology, personal and family revelations, group dynamics—a novel approach to understand and work through the psychology of loss, teaching, and supervision. It manages to be academic, yet eminently readable and has a three dimensional quality, as it comes alive to the reader. This book offers a new perspective and technique to alleviating suffering which, as Dr. Nesci shows, can only occur in the context of our allowing ourselves to be connected to others.

Ira Lesser, M.D., Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Multimedia Psychotherapy presents a fascinating, engaging, and deeply personal account of Professor Nesci’s exploration into “active” psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Loosely related to art and play therapy, Nesci’s team involves the patient in a vivid, personal, visual, and auditory search using advanced cinemagraphic techniques. His thorough psychoanalytic understanding of transference and countertransference are welcomed cautions. Beyond a presentation of a technique, drawing on his extensive psychotherapy with people dealing with cancer, the book is a treasure trove of understanding of the role of loss, major and minor, as intrinsically involved in the important transitions of life.

Jerome D. Oremland, MD, San Fransisco Institute of Psychoanalysis and Pscyhotherapy

Psychoanalysis started as a method of investigation and treatment that eventually lead to the formulation of general ideas about the workings of the mind. This was the inductive method used by Freud. But it was never said that we could not proceed deductively, from psychoanalytic knowledge down, to introduce other methods of treatment that could be helpful in situations where the classical psychoanalytic process and setting are not readily accessible. Dr. Nesci was able to come forward with one such method, at once based on psychoanalytic wisdom and very creative in its own right, while also taking advantage of the contemporary means of scenic representation.

Dominique Scarfone, M.D., Université de Montréal; Canadian Psychoanalytic Society and Institute